The existence of more than one political party is important to the functioning of a.
It is important because political parties are the major mechanisms that develop.
broad policy and leadership choices and that then present those options to the people.
Political parties are a vital link between the people and their government, between the.
governed and those who govern. Many argue that they are the principal means by which the.
will of the people is made known to government and by which government is held.
accountable to the people. Parties serve the democratic ideal in another important way.
They work to blunt conflict; they are "power brokers." They bring conflicting groups.
together. They modify and compromise the contending views of different interests and.
groups, and so help to unify, rather than divide, the American people. They soften the.
impact of extremists at both ends of the political spectrum. Again, political parties are.
indispensable to American government. This fact is underscored by the major functions they.
perform.
The major function of a political party is to nominate candidates for public office.
The nominating function is almost exclusively a party function in this country. It is the one.
particular activity that most clearly sets political parties apart from all of the other groups.
operating in politics. Parties inform the people and stimulate their interest and participation.
in public affairs. Both parties want to win elections, and that consideration has much to do.
with the positions they take on most issues. Both parties try to shape stands that will attract.
as many voters as possible. A party grants seals of approval to it candidates. If it fails to do.
so, both the party and its candidates may suffer the consequences in future elections. In.
several respects, government in the United States can be correctly described as government.
by party. In the complicated separation of powers arrangement, the executive and legislative.