Political Parties: Introduction

Summary Slide Between state and society

Between state and society The state Legislature, executive, judiciary Political parties, Interest groups, social movements Society: Families, individuals, informal groups

Political Parties One of several organizations or structures between state and society Parties are virtually ubiquitous in mass-based polities: found in liberal democratic semi-democratic, authoritarian systems

Linkage: Parties are organizations linking citizens and government Present in legislative assemblies But more than a faction or grouping within the political elite. Parties typically organize to contest power via elections or other means Doing so typically requires organization not only during, but also in between elections

Development of parties reflects Need of elites (or elements within the elite) to organize in order to ensure support Need of citizens to organize if they are to exercise influence

The electoral connection: Close relationship between suffrage extension and the development of parties: In some instances, parties appear after extension of the vote: In other instances, parties organize in order to demand the vote – e.g. Socialist and other working class parties, late 19th & early 20th centuries

Party formation in Britain: First Reform Bill (1832) leads to formation of local election societies Second Reform Bill (1867) followed by the establishment of national party organizations: National Union of Conservative and Unionist Constituency Organizations (1869) National Liberal Federation (1877)

Functions or tasks of parties: what do parties do? Structuring elections: providing alternatives Recruiting candidates Organizing the legislative assembly Linking legislatures and executives Providing points of reference for citizens