Political parties and interest groups (2)

POLITICAL PARTIES AND INTEREST GROUPS

By: LOLITA M. GANDIA

Political Party and Interest Group defined.

Voluntary association of individuals who advocate certain principles or policies as superior to all others for the general conduct of government and which nominates and supports certain of its leaders as electoral candidates.

Any group (organized or unorganized) which makes certain claims upon other groups in the society for the establishment, maintenance, or enhancement of certain actions.

Political Parties Interest Groups

The difference between Political party and Interest Group..

Seeks political power directly thru electoral method

Prepared to support a candidate and fight for victory in an election. (to gain power)

Sometimes supports and campaigns for party candidates but rarely present formal candidates and fight in an election.

POLITICAL PARTY INTEREST GROUP

Their functions.

They channel belief about authority and power through an organization.

Act as safety valve on government to form opinion and resolve conflict without tearing apart the state itself.

They express certain opinions, make claims upon the government and aggregate the views of their member.

Group theory is expressed in the making of foreign policy of the state.

Political Parties Interest groups

The Interest Groups:

Nature and size of the group.

Opportunities to organize and express opinions.

Quality of membership and leadership.

Structure of political system itself.

Bribing and corrupting public officials.

Informing and advising public officials.

Conducting discussions, campaigns and reform movements to advocate the awareness of the community.

Actual domination and control of government processes.

BASIS OF IMPORTANCE & EFFECTIVENESS: POLITICL FUNCTIONS

The Political Parties:

Confuse rather than clarify issues.

Best politicians do not always come from political parties.

Parties have resorted to corrupt political practices to ensure their victory and protection.

Recruit and nominate candidates.

Raise campaigns clarify issues unify diverse interests Mobilize voters and

help run elections. Write Platforms. Link popular wishes and

government actions. Act as the opposition

when not in power.

DISADVANTAGES : ADVANTAGES

Kinds of Party Members

For patronage To get special treatment from the

government To enhance their own career Economic benefit Personal gratification To have and to wield an influence on the

others Ideological fulfillment

Kinds of Party Systems

1. The Two- Party System2. The Multi- Party System3. The One- Party System

The Two- Party System

The turn- over system The system wherein major political

parties alternate with each other in the exercise of political power.

In the US- Democratic and Republican In Britain- Conservative and Labour

parties

The Advantages and Disadvantages

Ensures simplicity and stability in the change of government.

Loosing party acts as “ loyal opposition” to force the party on power.

Assures a measure of political unity

Allows a free interplay of opposing forces.

May degenerates into a monotonous political game wherein politicians succumb to corruption and patronage of each other.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

The Multi Party System

More than two political parties fight in an election.

No single party gets the majority control of the power.

Leads to coalition of parties to secure a governing control of the government.

Transfer the consensus building on the floor of the parliament or the inner of chambers of government itself. Rightist, leftist, center

The Leftist- reform – minded party which seeks to change the existing conditions in the country.

The “Rightist” – conservative group which seeks to maintain the status quo in the country.

The Center Party has adopted policies which are mixture of both the left and right tendencies.

The Advantages and Disadvantages:

may more honestly represent the various shades of political opinions.

may bring out more truly democratic measures

Occasional instability and inaction.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

The One- Party System

Only one party holds the power because it towers above the others or because it suppresses all other groups.

With two sub- types: The one party democracy ( usually found in

newly- independent states) The Totalitarian Party in Communist states.

The one- party democracy in newly independent states

Created in newly emergent countries in Asia and Africa to create unity and inspire the drive on to modernization.

Single political party allow the settlement of differences among groups, expression of criticism and the rule of law rather than dogma or anarchy.

becomes an expedient mechanism thought through which people voluntary works for the most important task of national government.

The Totalitarian Party in Communist States:

The ruling party monopolizes control of the state.

The ruling party controls all forms of social organizations in the country.

The ruling party monopolizes control of all means of public communication.

The ruling party is legally permitted to use state power in all forms that are expedient for the purposes of the state.

Reference:

Zaide, S.M. (2006). Political science. 2nd edition. All Nations Publishing Co. Quezon City Philippines.