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9.1 Functions and Organization of Political Parties

5 min readjuly 30, 2024

Political parties are the backbone of democratic systems, connecting citizens to government and shaping policy. They recruit leaders, mobilize voters, and form governments. Understanding their functions is crucial to grasping how democracies work.

Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Parties have complex structures, from local chapters to national leadership. They balance internal factions, select candidates, and coordinate campaigns. Their relationships with interest groups can be collaborative or competitive, influencing policy and raising accountability concerns.

Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Functions of political parties

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Linking citizens and government

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Serve as a link between citizens and the government
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Aggregate and articulate the interests and preferences of various groups in society
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Enable citizens to express their political views and participate in the democratic process
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Recruitment and selection of political leaders

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Play a crucial role in recruiting and selecting political leaders
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Identify and nominate candidates for elected office at various levels of government (local, state, national)
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Provide a pathway for individuals to enter and advance in political careers
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Policy development and promotion

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Develop and promote policy platforms and ideologies
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Serve as the basis for electoral campaigns and legislative agendas
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Offer voters a choice between competing visions for the country's future
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Shape the national political discourse and policy debate
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Voter mobilization and participation

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Mobilize voters and encourage political participation
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Engage in voter registration drives, campaign rallies, and get-out-the-vote efforts
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Educate citizens about the political process and the importance of voting
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Provide a sense of belonging and collective identity for supporters
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Government formation and maintenance

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Play a key role in the formation and maintenance of governments, particularly in parliamentary systems
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • The executive branch is typically drawn from the legislature and requires the support of a or coalition
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Parties negotiate and form coalitions to create stable governing majorities
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Opposition parties hold the government accountable and offer alternative policies
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Political party structure

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Hierarchical organization

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Typically have a hierarchical structure with national, regional, and local levels
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Each level has its own leadership and decision-making bodies
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Ensures coordination and communication between different levels of the party
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Internal decision-making processes

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Decision-making processes can vary, ranging from highly centralized to more decentralized approaches
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Centralized parties have a top-down structure, with national leadership making key decisions
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Decentralized parties allow for more grassroots input and bottom-up decision-making
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • The balance of power between national and local party organizations can affect internal dynamics
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Leadership and candidate selection

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Have formal mechanisms for selecting leaders and candidates
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Methods include primary elections, caucuses, or nominating conventions
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Selection processes can be open to all party members or limited to party elites
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Candidate selection can have a significant impact on the party's electoral success
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Factions and interest groups

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Factions and internal interest groups can influence the party's policy positions and overall direction
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • May represent different ideological wings, regional interests, or demographic groups within the party
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Can lead to internal debates, negotiations, and power struggles
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Successful parties manage to balance and accommodate different factions
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Political parties in elections

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Candidate recruitment and nomination

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Responsible for recruiting and nominating candidates to run for elected office
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Involves a process of vetting, selection, and endorsement
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Parties seek candidates who align with their values and have a strong chance of winning
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Nomination processes can be competitive, with multiple candidates vying for the party's support
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Campaign support and resources

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Provide resources to support their candidates' campaigns
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Resources include funding, staff, expertise, and access to voter data
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Coordinate campaign messaging and strategy to ensure consistency across races
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • May prioritize resources based on a candidate's viability and strategic importance
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Electoral mobilization strategies

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Engage in various forms of electoral mobilization to persuade and turn out voters
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Strategies include door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, and social media outreach
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Tailor messages and tactics to specific voter groups and geographic areas
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Aim to maximize turnout among supportive voters and persuade undecided or swing voters
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Electoral alliances and coalitions

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • May form alliances or coalitions with other parties to maximize electoral chances
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Coalitions can be pre-electoral (agreeing to coordinate campaigns) or post-electoral (forming a government together)
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Alliances can help parties overcome electoral thresholds or geographic limitations
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Require compromise and negotiation on policy priorities and power-sharing arrangements
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Parties vs Interest groups

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Overlapping goals and collaboration

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Political parties and interest groups often have overlapping or complementary goals
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • May work together to advance shared policy objectives
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Interest groups provide expertise, grassroots support, and financial resources to allied parties and candidates
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Parties benefit from the specialized knowledge and mobilization capacity of interest groups
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Financial support and influence

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Interest groups may provide financial support to parties or candidates who align with their interests
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Can take the form of direct contributions, independent expenditures, or in-kind support
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Financial support can give interest groups significant influence over party platforms and candidate positions
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Raises concerns about undue influence and the responsiveness of parties to narrow special interests
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Competitive or adversarial relationships

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • The relationship between parties and interest groups can also be competitive or adversarial
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Occurs when their interests or policy positions diverge
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Parties may resist pressure from interest groups that conflict with their broader electoral or governing strategies
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Interest groups may withhold support or actively oppose parties that do not align with their priorities
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties

Transparency and accountability concerns

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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • The influence of interest groups on parties and the policy-making process can raise concerns
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Issues include transparency, accountability, and the disproportionate influence of well-resourced groups
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Parties may be seen as beholden to special interests rather than representing the broader public interest
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Top images from around the web for Functions of political parties
  • Calls for stronger regulation of lobbying, campaign finance, and the revolving door between government and interest groups
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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
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