POLITICAL PARTY

Meaning of a political party

A Political Party is a group of people who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office. It is an association of People who have joined together based on certain common principles/beliefs.  A political party is a group of persons,   joined together on the basis of common principles, who seek to control government in order to affect certain public policies and programs. A political party can also be defined as a group of dedicated people who come together to win elections, operate the government, and determine public policy. Political party can also be seen as  a group of persons organized to acquire and exercise political power

Organization of political parties

The Caucus

This refers to a meeting of a group of top party members. It is members of the caucus that plan for electoral success and take important decision on behalf of the party
Branches
parties are usually organised into branches spread across the country with a view to increasing their influence and membership.  In Nigeria for example party branches are organised at ward, local government and state levels, with the national headquarters coordinating all the fastest activities

The Cell

A party cell consists of a small group of party members.  These are usually members who work in the same place.  This party structure makes it possible for secret decisions to be taken and implemented in the party.  It was a structure of former socialist and communist parties it is not very popular in today's open world
The Militia

This type of structure obtained essentially with such dictators as Hitler and Mussolini who structures their party like the army complete with military hierarchy, discipline and training for party members.  The militia party structure no longer exist anywhere

Features of a political party

1.    Political parties are organised group based on the election commission's laid down rules.

2.    Political parties have ideologies that they tend to implement when they come to power.

3.   They are guided by different political party manifesto.

4.   They aimed at contesting elections, gaining political power and governing a  country.

5.   They show loyalties to electorate who determine their political successes in order to win elections.

6.   Political parties are made up of people who share similar political opinions, principles interest and beliefs.

7.   Political parties draft their different constitutions that direct the conduct of their political activities.

8.   Political parties express their views on every subject and Matter  that affect the society as a whole

Types of Political Parties

a.   Mass parties:  these are parties whose membership is drown from all segments of society the  including men and women the rich and the poor the educated and the illiterate.  Mass parties are sometimes called  "workers party" Labour Party.

b.   Elite/Cadre party:  an elite party also known as a cadre party usually comprises only the wealthy, the professionals and influential.  In modern times there's hardly any party that can the correctly describe as elitist.

c.  Religious party:  parties are mainly formed by members of a particular religion  many countries do not allow the formation of parties along religious Lines,  because it usually leads to Religious and serious political crisis.

d.  Personality/ Charismatic party:  the party may be described as a personality when the guiding spirit or leadership is provided by one man or woman who has attained popularity.  This type of party is also difficult to come by in modern times. 

e.  Broker parties:   this is the party of both the rich and the poor, they worked towards promoting equality and welfare of the people

Functions of political parties

                   i.            political practice educate the electorate through campaigns and rallies which stimulate their political awareness

                ii.            They help to aggregate (bring together) the  differing interests  and opinions of a large number of people and use these  to make up their manifesto which usually satisfied party members.

             iii.            They help to ensure political stability through the availability of a pool of their members capable of running the government at any time.

             iv.            The help to arouse the interest of the electorate towards participation in elections.

                v.            Political parties especially when they are in power,help to disseminate information on government policies to the people, and pass information from people to government.

             vi.            Political parties in power help to provide amenities like electricity pipe Borne Water tarred Road schools and hospitals.

          vii.            The manifestos of political parties serve as a ready resource from which government policies can be formulated
h. political Party serve as a forum for National unity by bringing  together people from different ethnic and religious groups