Socio-political movement -. Political Parties The following are the most important functions of political parties:

Concept of a political party means a special type of public organization whose task is to take part in the management of the state or local government (a city, for example). The party may also aim to completely seize state power.

The first political parties in the modern sense appeared in the 19th century in some Western countries after the introduction of universal voting rights: Progressive Party of Germany, Belgian Liberal Party, etc.

An interesting fact is that more than a third of Russians, according to surveys, do not understand what political parties are for. To do this, consider the goals and functions of political parties.

Functions of political parties.

1. Formation of public opinion.
2. Political education of citizens of the state.
3. Expressing citizens' positions on social issues.
4. Communicating this position to the public and authorities.
5. Nominating your candidates for elections at various levels.

Types of political parties.

According to social class criterion:

1. Bourgeois parties (consisting of representatives of business, entrepreneurs).
2. Workers (representatives of workers, peasants)
3. Reconcilers (from various representatives of all classes).

On party organization:

1. Cadre parties - consisting of professional politicians or parliamentarians and having a group of leaders. They are most active during elections. The target audience is representatives of the elite. Funded from private sources.
2. Mass parties are centralized organizations with statutory membership. Funded by membership fees. They are numerous and have a target audience of the masses.

By degree of involvement in government:

1. The ruling ones are those who have a majority in parliament.
2. Opposition members are opponents of the ruling parties and constitute a minority in parliament.
3. Non-participants are those who did not receive a sufficient number of votes in the elections.

1. Left (communist and socialist, or having a corresponding bias).
2. Right (nationalist, or with a nationalist bias, as well as conservative and liberal).
3. Centrists (democrats).
4. Mixed.

According to the structure of the organization:

1. Classic type - with a clear organization and permanent membership.
2. Movement type - membership in them is formal.
3. Political clubs - free membership.
4. Authoritarian-proprietary type - a party of one person, the author of the party’s ideology and its main representative (for example, the Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc or the Radical Party of Oleg Lyashko).

By type of ideology:

1. Liberal parties. Aimed at minimal government intervention in public and personal life.
2. Democratic parties. They stand for democracy.
3. Social democratic parties. They advocate state regulation of public life.
4. Communist parties. For complete equality, public property, government control over social and economic life.
5. Nationalist parties. The ideology of the domination of the nation in the life of the country.
6. Clerical parties. Church and religious ideas and norms.
7. Green parties. Ecological component of political ideology.
8. Fascist parties. Elimination of freedoms, suppression of human personality.

Often a particular type of political party is associated with certain colors and sometimes emblems. For example, it is generally accepted that all communist (left) parties are associated with the color red. Conservative parties tend to be blue or blue-black, Social Democrats are pink and Liberals are yellow. The color of the green parties is obvious, while the color of the monarchists is white (sometimes purple). Brown, black, red-black - the colors of fascists and neo-Nazis. Another popular type of color is the color of the national flag. These colors are most popular in Ukraine.

The key feature of such a phenomenon as political parties is that they become intermediaries between society and the state. Political parties are the highest form of organization of political activity (compared to other group subjects of political activity - mass movements, public organizations, pressure groups, etc.). In addition, political parties are also the most organized form of social activity.

Political Party-

2. What are the main differences between a socio-political movement and a political party?

3. Listed below are the most important functions of political parties in modern society. Provide examples of the implementation of each function. Fill the table.

Before starting the tasks, remember the meaning of the concepts. Consult a dictionary if necessary.

"target"

"socialization"

"mobilization"

"elite"

4. Read the text and complete the tasks.

Citizens of democratic states are called to the ballot box every few years to cast their votes in favor of representatives of a particular party or political movement that voters believe express their interests. If voters are close to a political ideology that advocates the preservation of the existing social order, primarily moral and legal relations embodied in the nation, religion, marriage, family, property, then they give their votes to the conservative party. Supporters of the liberal party proceed from the premise that political freedom cannot exist where the state completely controls the economy, leaving no room for private initiative; at the same time, there cannot be true economic freedom if there is no political freedom and human rights are not respected. For liberals, the decisive idea is the autonomy of the individual and its primacy in relation to society and the state.

An adherent of such values ​​as freedom, justice, solidarity, equality, collectivism, such ideas as the socialization of property within the framework of a mixed economy, the widespread use of mechanisms of state regulation of the economy, the creation and development of a social security system, will vote for social democratic or communist parties occupying respectively, the “center-left” and “left” positions of the party-political spectrum. (Based on materials from the open Internet encyclopedia Wikipedia)

1) Fill out the table.

5. Russian citizens answered questions from one of the sociological services: “Do you think parties have or do not have an influence on the state of affairs in your region? And if they do, is it significant or insignificant?” The survey results are presented in chart form. Read them carefully and complete the tasks

State the results of the survey.

Make a guess about the reasons for this result.

6. What problems of your locality or region could become the basis for the program of the regional branch of a political party? Create a campaign leaflet for the regional branch of this political party.

7. Explain the meaning of the statements.

“A political party is a union of people who united in order to achieve the laws they all need” (I. Ilyin).

“The party is organized public opinion” (B. Disraeli).

Questions for the final lesson on the chapter “POLITICS”

1. Briefly answer the questions.

1) What relations in society are regulated by politics?

9) What is the difference between elections and referendums?

10) What organization is called a political party?

2) What are the main features of political power?

3) What is called the sovereignty of a state?

4) What are the main types of political regimes?

5) What types of democracy exist? How are they different?

6) What are the most important features of the rule of law?

7) What is called civil society?

8) How can citizens participate in the political life of society?

2. Complete the tasks and answer the questions. For each question, circle the number of one correct answer.

a) The sphere of activity associated with the implementation of generally significant interests with the help of power is called

1) law 3) economics

2) politics 4) sovereignty

b) Are the following statements about the separation of powers correct?

A. The principle of separation of powers presupposes the dominance of the legislative branch over the executive branch.

B. The principle of separation of powers is mandatory for a democratic state.

1) only A is correct

2) only B is correct

3) both judgments are correct

4) both judgments are incorrect

c) What distinguishes the state from other political organizations?

1) the exclusive right to make laws

2) determining the prospects for the development of society

3) development of political programs

4) nomination of political leaders

d) What characterizes a democratic regime?

1) command-administrative management methods

2) comprehensive state control over the life of society

3) dominance of the executive branch

4) equality of citizens before the law

e) Are the following judgments about the referendum correct?

A. The referendum is aimed at free expression of the will of citizens on the most important issues for the entire society.

B. A referendum, like elections, involves voting for candidates or parties.

1) only A is correct

2) only B is correct

3) both judgments are correct

4) both judgments are incorrect

3. For each task, write down the correct answer.

a) The following list shows the similarities and differences between absolute and constitutional monarchies. Select and write down the serial numbers of similarities in the first column of the table, and the numbers of differences in the second column.

1) legislative power is concentrated in the hands of the monarch

2) sole head of state

3) hereditary order of succession of power

4) the government's responsibility to parliament

b) Find in the list below the features characteristic of a parliamentary republic and circle the numbers under which they are indicated.

1) The President is elected by popular vote; 2) the government is formed by the party that wins the elections; 3) the president is not given the right to dissolve parliament; 4) the president is the head of state and executive power; 5) the government is responsible to parliament; 6) there is a post of prime minister. Write the circled numbers in ascending order.

Answer:________________

c) Establish a correspondence between the characteristics and forms of government: for each position given in the first column, select the corresponding position from the second column.

In the early 40s. XVII century The Governor-General of the Dutch Indies decided to find out whether Australia is part of the Southern Continent and whether New Guinea is connected to it.

Foreign policy as part of the ideology of the Belarusian state

Political parties play an important role in the social life of democrats tic society. Name any three functions of a political party in the political system of society and illustrate each of them with a specific example

1. expression of powerfully significant interests of individual groups (the parliamentary faction of a political party represents the interests of the middle class, seeking the adoption of legislation regulating the activities of medium and small businesses and tax benefits)

2. development of political programs (the political party presented its program for the development of civil society)

3. political socialization of citizens and their involvement in political life (the political party held a series of rallies in support of democratic reforms...)

Formulate four judgments that reveal the various functions of poly political parties in modern society

We have already spoken about the need for parties in a representative manner, about the benefits and disadvantages arising from their struggle. Political freedom calls upon social forces to participate in public affairs. Because of this, political movement here occurs only through the interaction of those various currents and directions into which society is divided. Here lies the main source of political life in constitutional states.

Parties naturally arise out of public opinion. The necessity of discipline and organization for collective action transforms the unsettled mass of free random thoughts into more or less strong and durable forces capable of being subjects of political action.

With organized parties it is possible to calculate and direct disparate aspirations towards a common goal; The more stable the parties are, the more they have merged with the history of the people, the more their program has been defined, the more correctly political life, based on freedom, flows. On the contrary, where the party represents only a vague fermentation of infinitely varied trends, only chaos is born from political freedom. On the other hand, only with political freedom can real parties be formed, because only then does it become possible and necessary to act together in the political field, to achieve certain goals through the constant and combined efforts of many. But freedom alone is not enough for this; It is necessary that the elements necessary for parties exist in society, that political meaning be developed, that the main directions be determined, that people group around certain principles they have created, and, finally, that political mores be developed, which are created by any social activity that requires combined efforts. In a word, only mature public opinion gives birth to real political parties. And under these conditions, they do not arise suddenly, but are formed slowly, in political struggle, and must go through many trials before they receive the proper strength and strength. Therefore, one should not think that the establishment of a representative order will immediately establish parliamentary government. It is impossible until parties have accumulated operational experience and proven their ability to govern the state.

(B.N. Chicherin)

C2. Indicate, based on the text, any four conditions for the transformation of political parties into “subjects of political action”

C3. What words does the author use to characterize organized and unorganized parties in society? (Write down one author’s judgment characterizing each of these groups of parties) Give an example of the activities of one of the existing (or existing) organized parties confirming the author’s description.

C4. Some people think that parliamentary rule begins immediately after the election of party representatives to government bodies. Does the author share this opinion? Support your answer with words from the text and give an example to illustrate the validity of this judgment.

C1. 1. Political freedom calls upon social forces to participate in public affairs 2. main source: the interactions of those various currents and directions into which society is divided
C2. 1. the presence of discipline in the party ranks 3. the presence of an organization for collective action 4. the presence of political freedom 5. the development of political meaning 6. the determination of the main directions of their activities 7. the unification of people around some of the principles they created 8. the development of political mores 9. social activity, requiring joint efforts 10. formed public opinion
C3. 1a. With organized parties it is possible to calculate and direct disparate aspirations towards a common goal; The more stable the parties are, the more they have merged with the history of the people, the more their program has been defined, the more correctly political life flows, based on freedom 1b. where the party represents only a vague fermentation of infinitely diverse trends, there is only chaos born from political freedom 2. example: in the USA, for more than a century and a half, large parties of Republicans and Democrats have been operating, whose programs are developing taking into account changes in the country and the world, reflecting the interests of voters .
C4. 1. Does not divide 2. One should not think that the establishment of a representative order immediately establishes parliamentary government. It is impossible until parties have accumulated operational experience and proven their ability to govern the state. 3. in countries undergoing a transition to democracy, party coalitions that emerged in parliaments as a result of early elections are characterized by instability and inability to make consolidated decisions.

C6.Use three examples to illustrate the peculiarities of conservative party rule.

The success of any political party in society depends on many factors. Among them, it is necessary to note such as the form of government (presidential or parliamentary republic) and the type of national-territorial structure of the state (unitary or federal) within which it operates, the specifics of electoral legislation, the regime of government, etc. All this has an impact on the program, pre-election activity, and daily activities of parties after the election results are summed up.

The nature of a political party is most clearly manifested through its functions:

1) Struggle for power (peaceful redistribution of power between various social forces avoids social upheavals when the balance of political forces changes). Winning an election makes it possible to form a government and begin to implement the interests represented through public policy.

2) Social representation. Each party strives to unite the widest possible strata of society and represent various social groups, since success in elections can only be ensured by a party that expresses national interests rather than narrow group interests.

3) Social integration. Achieving agreement with the existing system, social conformism, reconciliation of the interests of conflicting social groups.

4) Political socialization of citizens. Inclusion of a person in the world of politics through the formation of value orientations, social and political attitudes, skills in socio-political activity, the formation of public opinion in order to ensure ideological support for the party and discredit its political opponents.

5) Political recruitment, formation of the ruling elite. Training and promotion of personnel and coordination of their work in government bodies, public organizations and movements.

6) Development and implementation of a political course (it is necessary to formulate disagreements with other political forces on the main issues of social development).

In order to effectively implement these functions, political parties need material resources. Sources of financing for political parties can be grouped into the following three groups:

Own party funds. They are formed from entrance and membership fees, deductions from the salaries of leading party members, income from property and business activities. There are some restrictions here. For example, in Slovakia, political parties are prohibited from having property abroad; in Egypt and Ethiopia, they are prohibited from engaging in business activities. In addition, this aspect of the activities of political parties can lead to the fact that when engaged in entrepreneurial activities, parties merge with financial and industrial capital.

Private financing. This includes voluntary donations from individuals and legal entities. Most democratic states legally limit or completely prohibit financial support for political parties from charitable and religious organizations, state-owned enterprises, anonymous donors, and from abroad. Thus, in the USA and Israel it is prohibited to accept assistance from private legal entities (societies, organizations, firms, etc.). Sometimes both the amount of donations and the specific activities to be financed are determined by law.

Government funding. The state provides direct financial support to those parties that have passed the electoral threshold. There is a practice of distributing finances depending on the number of votes received by a party in elections (Germany, Sweden). In Denmark, Finland, and Italy, the amount of financial assistance is determined by the number of parliamentary mandates received. In addition, there is also indirect government support for political parties. Parties are provided with free airtime, space for publications and statements in the media, etc.

The leadership of a political party must publish reports on the sources of financial income, expenditure of funds, and property of the party. Almost all countries have restrictions on spending on election campaigns.

To understand what universal parties are, it is necessary to trace the development. Let's touch on it briefly, highlighting the semantic points. The fact is that universal parties are a product of modernity. They appeared as a result of a certain political evolution. This happened naturally given the missions of these organizations. But first things first.

The emergence of parties

They began to appear in their modern form in the nineteenth century. They were formed in two ways: electoral and external. In the first case, the party was organized, as they say now, from below. The leader united the masses with the help of an idea. The second is the forced formation of a social movement based on the same interests. It was carried out by those forces that were already present in parliament.

From this information it is necessary to draw one simple conclusion: for a political party to exist, it needs a platform, an idea that unites people on voluntary principles. These were the interests of strata and groups of the population. For example, the bourgeoisie, workers, peasants, industrialists, aristocracy and so on. The organizations were antagonistic, that is, the unifying ideas were in conflict. Universal parties have a serious difference from them. They strive to gather as many fans as possible from various walks of life.

Political parties, their functions, characteristics and types

It should be noted that there are quite a lot of organizations of this kind. Everyone shares them:

• by class - peasant, worker, bourgeois;
• by organizational structure - hierarchical, centralized, and so on;
• according to ideological criteria - conservative, revolutionary, reformist.

It should be noted that the classification is very conditional. If we look from the point of view of the situation in society, then we distinguish the ruling ones and some of them operate illegally, others act in the legislative field. Sometimes political forces are classified by membership: collective and individual. Each political force has several characteristics at the same time. The main functions of these organizations are:

• struggle for representation in government;
• recruiting new members and developing leaders from among them;
• working with public opinion: studying and shaping in accordance with your idea.

Traits of political parties

There are many organizations and associations operating in modern society. Not everyone is a political force. The party has the following features, which are indirectly reflected in the legislation:

1. Participation in the desire to gain power.
2. The presence of a specific ideological orientation.
3. Providing full support to the population.
4. Creation of an organizational structure and acquisition of legal status.

To explore how universal parties differ from others, we need to understand two things.

• Social forces strive for power.
• They need to have as many followers as possible.

Political struggle in its modern form is losing its class features. To be successful, you need to interest the broad masses, going beyond the boundaries of those layers of society that created the party. This is the sign of versatility.

Evolution of ideas

Previously, the birth of political forces was the path of a few. Nowadays, technologies have been created that allow any active citizen to engage in By the way, this is often used by those who want to have access to legislative activity and influence on parliament. Universal parties are political forces that unite people with different views. Agree, the matter is not simple, but not impossible. You just need the right idea that can “ignite people’s hearts.” An example is today's Russia. They are trying to create universal parties in the country on the principles of patriotism. Citizens may have different, even mutually exclusive interests. But most people love their homeland. They want to be proud of their country, to see it strong and developed. Peasants and residents of megacities, oligarchs and poor workers, teachers and rentiers living on dividends are happy to join such a universal party of patriots. Other countries are forming their own ideas.

Universal parties: examples

Italian political scientist G. Sartori noted that society today is becoming more complex, its social structure and demographic composition are changing. From this he concludes that the role of parties has changed. Now they do not represent the interests of classes and sections of the population in the generally accepted form. There is a process of socio-psychological penetration of parties into society. In his opinion, universal parties are distinguished by pragmatism. They are aimed at successful electoral activities. They are based on the principles of balancing various interests. In Europe, such forces are social democratic parties. The political scientist also named British conservatives and American Republicans among the universal ones. These forces are trying to attract into their ranks as many people as possible from various social groups. They work to ensure that their interests do not conflict.

The role of universal parties in society

These organizations emerged as part of the evolution of the political process. They have their positive and negative traits. The benefits of universal forces are increased competitiveness in any election. They have more followers, therefore, their leaders have a serious chance of winning. In addition, the desire for balance contributes to the development of other ideas and the development of society itself, which should also be considered a positive aspect. The negative side for now is that these organizations cannot, due to understandable circumstances, satisfy all their adherents when they come to power. They have to constantly balance. Sometimes this leads to decisions that do not suit the majority of the electorate. In this case, discontent in society will increase, which will lead to a crisis. Look at the modern European Union, which does not have the strength to overcome the flow of migrants. This is a typical case of the inability to work out a solution that suits everyone.

Conclusion

The undoubted advantages of all-inclusive (universal) parties will lead to them ousting other forces from the political arena. Or rather, everyone else will begin to acquire their features. For a political party, one of the most important conditions for its existence is its electoral base. Balance and refusal to adhere to one class stratum gives the generalists a better chance of gaining power. If you look further, after a certain time the parties will no longer differ from each other. And this is the path to the death of the political process. It's probably natural, like evolution. Or maybe they'll come up with something else. We'll see!