Political Parties
Dr. Christopher S. Rice

What is a political party?

Political Party
An ongoing coalition of
interests joined together in an
effort to get its candidates for
public office elected under a
common label.

2

Parties give citizens the
capacity to act together

Enables people from
diverse backgrounds
with diverse interests to
unite behind a single
alternative

“It is the competition of [parties]
that provides the people with an
opportunity to make a choice.
Without this opportunity popular
sovereignty amounts to nothing.”
- E.E. Schattschneider

Party Coalition
the groups and interests
that support a party

The Necessity of
Coalitions