Political Party

                                           Political Party

•          Political party serves as the motive force in crystalizing public opinion and as the unifying agency which makes democracy workable. Political party is an organized group of citizens who held common views and acts as a political unit to seek control of the government as well as to prepare programs and  policies.

•          McIver defines political party as an “association organized in support of some principles or policies, which by constitutional means, it endeavors to make the determinant of government.”

•          Leacock compares it to a joint stock company to which each member contributes his share of political power.

•          Carl Friedrich defines “ a political party as a group of human beings, stably organized with objectives of securing or maintaining for its leaders the control of a government and with the further objectives of giving to members of the party, through such control, ideal benefits and advantages.”

•          Formation of Political party

Following are the conditions to form the political party:

•          There must be certain measures of agreement on fundamental principles-cooperation, devotion, surrender of self-interest, etc.

•          Organization should be permanently cohesive and well-knit body that enables the members to acquire strength so as to act in a concert.

•          Parties should be organized with a clear and specific programs and policies before the electorate to win their support. Any deviation could destroy party’s stand and entity as well as confidence of the people towards it.

•          That a  party should seek to carry out its policy by constitutional means.

•          All political parties must endeavor to promote national interest being unbiased from sectarian, communal interest and other any interest.

•          Function of Political parties

•          He essential functions of political parties, says Lowell, is bringing public opinion to a focus and framing various issues for a public verdict.

•          Political party works as a link between government and people. It is indispensable for the working of a democratic government. They supply the motive power which keeps the wheels of the administration moving.

•          Make candidates and programs. It speaks with a united voice with fixed programs instead of uttering unsuitable babble of sound to win election after fielding the candidates. A disorganized mass of people can neither formulate principles nor agree on a policy

•          Establishment and control of government. They create open links of communication between governors and governed effectively. Majority party rules in the state, opposition works as a watchdog and the public reacts through the medium of various political parties

•          Provide alternative teams to run the government. They prevent the same people remaining in power too long if works wrong.

•          Provide political education and awareness from their policies, programs, campaigning processes, manifestos and various slogans

•          Produce and recruit political leaders search charismatic leadership and train other respective party workers.

•          Leads to modernization through fair and free franchise.

•          Solving burning national and international issues.

•          Work as a rebellion sometime.

Unit-VI : Political Parties

•       Definition

•       Formation

•       Functions

CONCEPT AND BACKGROUND

•       Politics is game of power.

•       Political parties are institutions who represent people and equally compete for gaining power by convincing people.

Robert Dahl’s analysis of political participation:

•       People are not equally concerned with political life. Some people are indifferent to politics in that sphere, others are deeply involved. Even among those who heavily involved in politics, only some actively seek power. Among the power seekers, some gain more power than others.

•       These four groups - the apolitical stratum; the political stratum; the power seekers and the powerful or power holder.

DEFINITIONS

•       Burke: Political party is a body of men (human) united for promoting by their joint effort the public interest upon some principles in which they are all agreed.

•       E.B. Schulz: A political party may be defined as an organized and presumably durable association, either or individuals or of distinguishable groups of individuals, which effort to place its members in government offices for the purpose of bringing about the adoption of favored policies.

•       Gettel Defines a political party as "a group of citizens more r less organized, who act as a political unit and who by the use of their voting power aim to control the government and carry out their general policy.

•       Gilchrist: a political party "is an organized group of citizens who profess to share the same political views and by acting as a political unit tries to control the government.

•       MacIver defines a political party as "an association organized in support of some principles of policy which by constitutional means it endeavors to make the determinant of government. He further says: without such party organization, there can be no unified statement of principles, no orderly evolution of policies, no regular resort to the constitutional devices of parliamentary elections, nor of course any of the recognized institutions by means of which a party seeks to gain and maintain power.

DEFINITION OF POLITICAL PARTIES UNDER NEPALESE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS

CONSTITUTION: Every citizen shall have the freedom to form political party and freedom to form unions and associations. (Art 12)

Persons who are committed to a common political ideology, philosophy and programme can exercise rights to form and operate political parties of their choice and to generate or cause to be generated publicity in order to secure public support and cooperation from the general public for their ideology, philosophy and programmes, and to carry out any other activities for that purpose. Any law, arrangement or decision which restricts any such activities shall be considered inconsistent with this Constitution and shall ipso facto be void. (Art 141)

•       "Political party" means a political party registered for the purpose of election pursuant to Article 142 of the Constitution. Section 2(g) of the Election Commission Act, 2063 (2007)

•       “Political Party” means the Political Party registered pursuant to the prevailing law. Section 2(h) of the Election to the Members of the Constituent Assembly Act, 2064 (2007)

•       "Party" means political organization or party constituted pursuant to Section 3. Section 2(a) Political Parties Act, 2058 (2002) . The section 3 has provisioned that: Persons, who are

•       committed to common political objectives and programme, may be entitled to form political party upon making necessary Statute and Rules therefor.

NATURE/CHARACTERISTICS OF POLITICAL PARTIES

•       Continuity in organization

•       Permanent organization from central to local and their connection.

•       Self conscious determination of leaders to capture decision making power

•       Concern on the part of organization for seeking followers or striving for popular supports.