Question

Describe any five major functions of political parties that are performed by them in a democracy.

Answer 1

Some of the major functions of political parties performed in a democracy are as follows:-

• In democracies, elections are contested mainly among the candidates put by political parties.
• Political Parties have different policies and programmes, voters choose from them. In a democracy a large number of people with similar opinions group together and form a party and then give a direction to the policies followed by the government.
• The parties that lose elections form the opposition and voice different views and criticize the government for its failures. They mobilise opposition to the government.
• They shape public opinion. Parties with the help of pressure groups launch movements for solving problems faced by the people.
• They provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes. The local party leader acts as a link between the citizen and the government officer.