 Compare and contrast the differing roles played by political parties and

interest groups in making public policy?

 “Democratic Political System cannot function successfully without
organized Political Parties.” Discuss.
 Define political parties and their functions. In your view which party system
is suitable for Pakistan’s political system?

Political parties
One of the most notable developments of modern democratic government is the rise of political parties.
Thus there are parties in municipality and universities. In its wider sense party means a number of
people joined by common opinion on a given subject. As a rule these parties recognize someone as
leader. The line of action taken by the leader is followed even though the individual members of party
do not entirely approve of it. Behind a party is an idea that union is strength. Political parties are the
same in principle as parties in municipalities or universities. People holding similar opinions on political
questions form a party. A common understanding of the political party according to Leon D. Epstein, is
of a group that “seeks to elect governmental officeholders under a given label.”

History
In the 19th century in Europe and America there emerged parties depending on mass support. The 20th
century saw the spread of political parties throughout the entire world. In developing countries, large
modern political parties have sometimes been based on traditional relationships, such as ethnic, tribal,
or religious affiliations. Moreover, many political parties in developing countries are partly political,
partly military. Certain socialist and communist parties in Europe earlier experienced the same
tendencies. These last-mentioned European parties demonstrated an equal aptitude for functioning
within multiparty democracies and as the sole political party in a dictatorship. Developing originally
within the framework of liberal democracy in the 19th century, political parties have been used since
the 20th century by dictatorships for entirely undemocratic purposes.

Functions of party
 A political party contests elections by putting up candidates. In countries like the USA,
the candidates are selected by members and supporters of a party. On the other hand, in
countries like India, the candidates are chosen by top party leaders.
 They campaign to obtain support for their candidates in the elections. 
 Every party has different policies and programs. Voters make a choice in accordance with
the policies and programs liked by them.
 Those securing the majority in elections form the government and enact and implement the
policies. 
 Those not in power form opposition and keep a constant check on the government.
  They form opposition when they are in minority in the legislature and constantly put pressure
on the government for proper governance.
 They educate people and help in formulating and shaping public opinion. 
 They articulate peoples’ demands and convey them to the government. 
 They provide a linkage between people and governmental institutions. 

Party organization
Political parties tend to differ on the basis of three factors: competition, institutionalization, and
resource factors.

i. Competition refers to ideological differences, as well as the way in which the party was
formed.
ii. Institutionalization refers to the power relations both between parties and within parties.
iii. Resources refer to how the party perpetuates itself.

On the basis of organizational differences party is divided into different faces. The three faces are the
party on the ground, the party in central office, and the party in public office.

i. The party on the ground refers to the political party as represented by the electorate, or the
voters a party can reasonably rely on to vote for it.
ii. The party in central office refers to the membership aspect of a political party, or those who
actively participate within the party with respect to policy formation, recruitment of
members, and campaign planning.
iii. The party in public office refers to the members of a political party who serve as elected
representatives.

Party systems
Party systems may be broken down into three broad categories: two-party, multiparty, and single-party.
Such a classification is based not merely on the number of parties operating within a particular country
but on a variety of distinctive features that the three systems exhibit. Two-party and multiparty systems
represent means of organizing political conflict within pluralistic societies and are thus part of the
apparatus of democracy. Single parties usually operate in situations in which genuine political conflict is
not tolerated.

I. One-party system

In a one-party system, there is no competition in this system. Here, the lone party nominates the
candidates and the voters have only two choices i.e.

 Not to vote at all or

 write ‘yes’ or ‘no’ against the name of the candidates nominated by the party
Such a political system has been prominent in authoritarian regimes and communist countries such
as China, North Korea, and Cuba. Before the collapse of communism, this system was also prevalent in
USSR.

II. Two-party system

In a two-party system, the power shifts between two major, dominant parties. So, for winning the
elections, the winner will have to get the maximum number of votes. So, the smaller parties tend
to merge with the bigger parties or they drop out of elections. Such a parliamentary system prevails
in Canada and Great Britain, in which there are two parties holding the maximum numbers of seats.

III. Multi-party system

The third and the most common form of government is the multi-party system. In such a system, there
are three or more parties which have the capacity to gain control of the government separately or in a
coalition.

In case, no party achieves a clear majority of the legislative seats, then several parties join forces and
form a coalition government. Countries like Pakistan and India follow a multi-party system. Some people
are of the view that a multi-party system often leads to political instability in a country.

Can democracy exist without political parties?

Political Parties have an important role to play in effective democracy. The success of a democracy is
measured in the everyday interactions between political institutions and the citizens they represent.
When citizens join political parties, volunteer their time, donate money and vote for their leaders, they
are exercising their basic democratic rights. Therefore, the participation of citizens in political parties
offers unique opportunities for people to participate in a process that affects their lives.

Representative democracy

Political parties are responsible for coordination within the government, within the society, as well as
coordination between government and society. They contest in elections and compete with one another
to gain control over the government, so they can be ones who represent the country and its ideals.
When a political party exists, it is the people in this party who end up making most of the decisions,
while the rest of the population just chooses which party they want to lead them. This also has the
lingering danger of the party becoming too powerful and authoritarian, ultimately threatening
democracy.

Direct democracy

In a direct democracy, everyone has the chance to vote for the laws they would like to see enforced.
There is no necessity to vote for a legislator to make the laws of the region, because the people take on
that role upon themselves. A prominent and rare example of this form of governance is Switzerland.
Here, the citizens participate in most aspects of voting. Ancient Athens was also an example of this
system. In scenarios like these, there already exists coordination between government and the society,
as society votes and the government implements these laws. A political party has little to no purpose
since people can just directly elect the candidates they want to lead them, and then together make
decisions with the elected government officials. This also allows more freedom in the process of
elections itself, since anyone can contest independently, without an affiliation to a party.

Conclusion

Keeping both sides in mind, there is no definite answer to whether or not we must get rid of political
parties. That could vary from country to country. But in theory, it does seem like a democracy can still
exist without these parties. Political parties just add on to democracy and probably make it easier on the
citizens, but it doesn’t mean that in the absence of these people’s representational parties, democracy
wouldn’t exist.

Democratic political system and political parties

Political Parties have an important role to play in effective democracy. The success of a democracy is
measured in the everyday interactions between political institutions and the citizens they represent.
When citizens join political parties, volunteer their time, donate money and vote for their leaders, they
are exercising their basic democratic rights. Therefore, the participation of citizens in political parties
offers unique opportunities for people to participate in a process that affects their lives.

A democracy cannot exist without the presence of organized political parties. Political parties are
universally regarded as essential components of democratic regimes and key vehicles in the process of
securing effective political representation, mobilizing voters, organizing government and shaping public
policy. This is clear from the function performed by the political parties. In case, there are no political
parties then:

 Every candidate in the election would be an independent candidate. Any individual candidate
does not have the efficiency to promise any major policy change to the people. In such a
scenario, no one will be responsible for how the country is run.
 In the long run, only a representative democracy can survive. Political parties are the agencies
that gather different views on various issues and present them to the government.

The question arises here is whether there is any safeguard that will ensure the sustainability of
democracy. “Necessarily the answer is that only a strong group in opposition to the ruling people can
prevent the people in power from being derailed from the track of democracy. This opposition group is
essentially called a political party in modern democracy. Therefore the political parties seem to have
their roots in two origins: first they are the shadows of people’s consent and opinion and second they
are the safeguard of democracy”. Therefore it is necessary for the success of democratic political system
to have strong and organized political parties.

Politics in Pakistan
Mankind has a history of almost 5000 years with lot of changes. However Pakistan has just seen 70 years
from the date of its birth. With this small span of time it has seen presidential as well a parliamentary
system. It has also seen military rules under four Generals. With parliamentary systems it has seen
corruption at the top with no accountability but with Military rules we have seen dismemberment of the
country, discontentment of different nationalities living in and then sweeping wave of religious beliefs
creating sectarian war and Taliban with ISIL at the moment.
In Pakistan different kind of political parties are found i.e. Democratic, liberal, relational and religious
political parties. To govern the country towards prosperity, development, and success, it is necessary for
the political parties to establish their real objectives that are missing right now.

Pakistan is a multiparty democracy where several political parties compete for seats in the National and
Provincial assemblies. However, as an aftermath of the Fall of Dhaka in 1971, a two-party system was
inculcated between the PPP and PMLN. The constitution of Pakistan supports parliamentary democracy
which eliminates the option of single party system. Pakistan has also seen the two-party system from
1980s and 1990s. But in 2000s’ different ethnic and religious parties emerged with PTI emerging as the
largest party of the country in 2018’s elections. Some people are of the view that a multi-party system
often leads to political instability in a country. Till the date it has been proved true, and the multiparty
party system is in shackles in Pakistan. The current parliamentary system in what form it is may be
allowed to continue till all institutions at the helm of affairs adjust their structures by accommodating
each other’s

Interest group
Interest groups or special interest groups are any association of individual or organizations that on the
basis of one or more shared concerns, attempt to influence public policy in its favor usually by
lobbying1members of the government.

Importance of interest groups

Interest groups influence on policy making is not a corrupt or illegitimate activity per se, but a key
element of the decision-making process. However, disproportionate and opaque interest group
influence may lead to administrative corruption, undue influence, and state capture, favoring particular
interest groups at the expense of public interest.

Functions of interest groups

1. Interest groups raise awareness of public affairs, or issues that concern the people at large.
2. Interest groups represent people who share attitudes rather than those who share geography.
3. Interest groups provide specialized information to government agencies and legislators.
4. Interest groups compete and are vehicles for political participation.
5. Interest groups keep tabs on various public agencies and officials.

Tactics used by interest groups

Interest groups may directly, or indirectly through consultants/lawyers seek to affect legislative action.
These attempts to influence policy-making may take place through different mechanisms, including
direct communication with government officials, participation in public hearings, drafting reports to
member of the government on specific policy issues, as well as through media comment. Such groups
may also have different type of resources to influence policy-making, such as campaign funding,
expertise on policy issues, information on the opinion of other policy-makers.