Functions of political parties

Topic: Political Parties, Party Systems and Anti-defection · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 4 "Political Parties"

Meaning

The Class 10 textbook lists seven functions of political parties:

1. They contest elections.
2. They put forward policies and programmes.
3. They make laws. Members vote as the party leadership directs, and this is the root of the party whip.
4. They form and run governments. Parties recruit and train leaders and make them ministers.
5. They act as the opposition when they lose.
6. They shape public opinion by raising issues and launching movements.
7. They give people access to government machinery and welfare schemes.

These functions explain why democracies cannot work without parties.

Example

A villager who cannot get help from a government office often goes to a local party leader instead, because the leader is easier to reach. This shows the seventh function, giving access to government machinery and welfare.

Don't confuse with

• Functions of pressure groups: pressure groups only try to influence policy. They do not contest elections or form governments.

Related concepts

• Primary election
• Election manifesto
• Opposition

Read more

• Functions of political parties, and parties vs pressure groups