Political parties , pressure group, and role in political system . rai m raza sher

1. Political Parties Defined
There is no single definition of political
parties on which scholars can agree,
However, A political party is a political
organisation that seeks to attain and
maintain political power within
government, usually by participating in
electoral campaign. Parties often espouse
an expressed ideology or vision bolstered
by written platform with specific goals,
forming coalition among disparate
interests.

2. According to Gilchrest
• A political party is an organized group of
citizens who profess to share the same
political views and who by acting as a political
unit, try to control the government. -
GILCHRIST

3. Nonpartisan
• In non partisan system, no official parties
exist, sometimes reflecting legal restrictions on political
parties. In non partisan election, each candidate is
eligible for office on his or her own merits. The
administration of George Washington and first few
sessions of US congress were nonpartisan. The
unicameral legislation of Nebraska is the only state
government body that is nonpartisan in united states
today. Many city and governments are nonpartisan in
Canada, the territorial legislatures of Northwest
territories and Nunavut are nonpartisan. Tokelau also
has nonpartisan parliamen7.

4. One-Party System
• Pros
– The winner always has a majority
• Cons
– Only one person runs for each position
• EXAMPLES:
– China, Cuba, North Korea

5. One-Party System
• In single par7y sus7em, one par7y is legally
allowed 7o hold effec7ive power. Al7hough minor
par7ies may some 7ime be allowed, 7hey are
legally required 7o accep7 7he leadership of 7he
domina7 par7y.. Communis7 s7a7e such as china
are some of 7he examples; o7hers can be found
in fascis7 s7a7es such as nazi germany was
be7ween 1933 and 1945. 7he single par7y
sys7em is 7hus usually equa7ed wi7h
dic7a7orship and 7yranny.

6. Two Party System
• Pros
– Main viewpoints are represented and one candidate
usually receives a majority of votes
• Cons
– Less popular viewpoints are not represented in elections
• EXAMPLES
– U.S., England, Canada

7. Two Party System
• 7wo dominan7 par7y sys7ems are s7a7es such as
7he US and jamaica in wi7ch 7here are 7wo poli7ical
par7ies domina7e 7o such an ex7en7 7ha7 elec7oral
success under 7he banner of any o7her par7y is
ex7reamly difficul7. One righ7 wing coali7ion par7y
and one lef7 wing coila7ion par7y is mos7 common
ideological brackdown in such a sys7em bu7 in 7wo
par7y s7a7es poli7ical par7ies are 7radi7ionally
ca7ch all par7ies wich are ideologically broad and
inclusive.
• Us (Curren7ly 7he labour par7y and 7he
conserva7ive par7y )

8. •Multi-Party System
• Pros
– All viewpoints are represented in elections
• Cons
– No candidate receives a majority of the votes, only
a plurality
• EXAMPLES:
– France, Italy, Germany

9. Mul7iple par7ies
• Mul7i-par7y sys7em are sys7em in which more
7han 7wo par7ies are serious con7enders 7o
par7icipa7e in ruling. Canada, Pakis7an, India,
7he republican of Ireland, Germany, Norway, and
UK are examples where 7here are 7wo s7rong
par7ies, wi7h 7he 7hird par7y 7ha7 is elec7orally
successful. Some coun7ries i7 is called 7wo and
half because usually 7wo par7ies are dominan7..
No one par7y is likely 7o gain power alone, and
par7es work wi7h each o7her 7o form coali7ion
governmen7s .

10. CHARACTERISTICS of Political Parties
• ( I ) An organized group of persons
• ( II ) Similar views on political and economic
problems of the country
• ( III ) Aim to control the government by
constitutional and peace means
• ( IV ) Their aim is to promote national interest
and not any sectional interest

11. FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL PARTIES
1. They educate the masses, through their meetings and propaganda , about the
various problems facing the country at a particular time. They helps in the
formation of public opinion.
2. They fight elections and try to get the maximum number of their candidates elected.
3. The party which gets an absolute majority in the legislature, forms the government
and runs the administration of the country.
4. Other parties form the opposition. They criticise the wrong policies of the
government and check it form becoming despotic.
5. Political parties give political education to the people.
6. They serve as a link between the government and the people.
7.They serve as a link between the Legislature and Executive organs of Government.

12. Parties: Party Structure
• National Level
– Pres. controls
– National Convention
– Party Chairperson
– National Committee
• State level
– Governor controls
– State Conventions
– State party chairperson
– Party Boss
• Local Level (Grassroots)
– County Committee
– County Chairperson
– District Leaders
– Precinct or ward captains
– Party Workers

13. Special Interest Groups or pressure
group
• An in7eres7 group (also advocacy group, lobby
group, pressure group, or special in7eres7
group) is an organiza7ion 7ha7 seeks 7o
influence poli7ical decesions. I7 is priva7e
organisa7ion 7ha7 7ries 7o persuade public
officials 7o ac7 or vo7e 7o group members
in7eres7s.i7 can encourage or prevent
changes in public policy (laws)

14. Operations:
• Lobbying- communicate with politicians to
sway decision making
– Tools to catch their attention
• Money
• Gifts
• Mass Propaganda

15. 7ypes of pressure groups
• Sec7ional
Sec7ional groups represen7s in7eres7s of 7heir
members, 7hey include business group, such
as 7he confedra7ion of bri7ish indus7ry.
Professional bodies, such as 7he bri7ish
medical associa7ion and 7rade unions.

16. 7ypes of pressure groups
• Promo7ional or single-issue groups
Promo7ional or single-issue groups (cause or
a77i7ude groups) seeks 7u influence policy in
a par7icular area, such as 7he environmen7
(greenpeace), gun laws (na7ional rifile
associa7ion), 7he pro7ec7ion of birds (royal
socie7y for 7he pro7ec7ion of birds).

17. 7ypes of pressure groups
• Fire Brigade
Fire brigade’ groups lobby on specific issues
such as War on 7error, Iraq War, Or 7he poll
7ax.. 7hey usually disband as soon as 7he
issue has been resulved .