Political Parties- Features And Functions Of Political Parties

Question 1

Features of political parties

Answer 1

+ Parties are associations of people who hold similar political views and
wish to promote those views.

+ Parties seek to gain governmental power at local, regional and national levels. The search for power distinguishes parties from other associations.

+ Most parties have some kind of formal organisation, normally a hierarchy including leaders, activists and followers.

+ Most parties have a system of membership.

Question 2

Functions of political parties

Answer 2

The main functions of political parties are to:

+ improve society

+ select suitable candidates for office at all levels — local, regional and
national

+ identify and train political leaders, again at local, regional and national
levels

+ educate the public about important political issues

+ provide organised opportunities for people to participate in politics

+ when not in government, call the existing government to account

Question 3

Why are political parties important ?

Answer 3

Parties are an integral part of the UK political system — they help to organise elections and to run the business of representative bodies at local, regional and national levels.

Question 4

How many features of political parties ?

Answer 4

4

Question 5

How many functions of political parties ?

Answer 5

6