Political Parties and Political
Systems
Created @April 16, 2022 3:14 PM
Class POL1004F
Type Lecture
Materials
Reviewed
Political Parties
What is a Political Party?
definition: an official political organisation that coordinates candidates (usually with a
shared ideological/policy position) who compete in election in hopes of being placed in a
political office
emerged in the second half of the 1900s
a necessary feature of democratic system
multi-leveled; may have factions
usually represented at a national and subnational level
Functions
Political Parties and Political Systems 1
, the ruling parties run the government
opposition parties keep the ruling party accountable to the public’s interest
recruiting politicians (candidates usually have to work their way up)
recruiting politicians (candidates usually have to work their way up)
some countries are more accepting of independent candidates, but South Africa is mostly
party-based
representatives of their voting base by pushing for policies that are in line with their
voters’ interests
a forum for the public to participate in politics
Party Organisation
cadre/elite parties
emerged in the 19th century (before universal suffrage)
formed from withing parliament
loose organisational structure
aim to represent a particular interest
not interested in growing their following
funding: personal finance
not as popular today because of move towards
mass parties
emerged from outside of parliament
Political Parties and Political Systems 2
Systems
Created @April 16, 2022 3:14 PM
Class POL1004F
Type Lecture
Materials
Reviewed
Political Parties
What is a Political Party?
definition: an official political organisation that coordinates candidates (usually with a
shared ideological/policy position) who compete in election in hopes of being placed in a
political office
emerged in the second half of the 1900s
a necessary feature of democratic system
multi-leveled; may have factions
usually represented at a national and subnational level
Functions
Political Parties and Political Systems 1
, the ruling parties run the government
opposition parties keep the ruling party accountable to the public’s interest
recruiting politicians (candidates usually have to work their way up)
recruiting politicians (candidates usually have to work their way up)
some countries are more accepting of independent candidates, but South Africa is mostly
party-based
representatives of their voting base by pushing for policies that are in line with their
voters’ interests
a forum for the public to participate in politics
Party Organisation
cadre/elite parties
emerged in the 19th century (before universal suffrage)
formed from withing parliament
loose organisational structure
aim to represent a particular interest
not interested in growing their following
funding: personal finance
not as popular today because of move towards
mass parties
emerged from outside of parliament
Political Parties and Political Systems 2
