The role of traditional political parties in the democratization process - Essay Example

As a result, most countries have changed from military to political-civil regimes that foster democratic governance. Political parties play fundamental roles in governance and are critical for the lifelong political development in emerging democracies.This paper highlights the role of political parties in the democratisation process in Latin America, and explores the factors leading to the decline of traditional political parties and their possible comeback in the near future. Democracy illustrates the rights held by citizens that allow them to choose their own government and officials through secret ballot after a defined period.

Democracy is achieved following thetransformation of authoritarian rule into a state that is guided by the civil majority. Democratic regimes are characterised by the civic responsibility through which citizens elect their leaders whose prime functions is to protect basic human rights. In this regard, political stability is achieved and through it,economic and social benefits are reaped. Similarly, democracies involve conducting free and fair elections that does not discriminate across citizens of voting age.

As such, representative democracy is the most common form in majority government settings where citizens elect officials to make political decisions, formulate laws, and implement policies to benefit the society.In any democracy, political parties are essential owing to the various functions they perform in their capacities that include the representation of social interests. Political parties are regarded as the primal link between the state and society where quality representation is sought for equitable distribution of justice and resources (Cott 1).

As such, the responsiveness of party systems to the interests and demands of organised groups largely influences the quality and stability of democratic institutions. Early political parties in Latin America were formed to provide a platform on which different opinions could be raised for the benefit of the society.Traditional political parties were formed based on the ideology shared, which saw the emergence of conservative, liberal, federal, clerical and anticlerical parties (Lambert 183). Significant of the Traditional Parties These traditional parties serve as links between political elites and citizens where they mobilise members into participation during the electoral process.

In this way, revolutionary movements under social organisation embark on calls for reforms and regime change. Intense social and political upheaval characterised the 1970s in Latin America as social movements and popular mobilisations intensified calls for reforms.Governments under authoritarian or military regimes in Latin America suppressed any form of civil society activity as a way of maintainingcontrol of the state. The governments denied political expression and weakened the existing groups that sought reprieve over the prevailing social conditions.

Hostility accorded social movements in their bid to push for political reforms acted as a catalyst that garnered more support for the movements. Movement leaders mobilised their supporters to protests that were aimed at destabilising the authoritarian regime. The resulting instability formed the basis of political reforms with the hope of creating an all-inclusive government that would cater for the