How Effectively do Free Elections - Essay Example

? How effectively do free elections, competition between political parties and the activities of pressure groups, ensure that the ‘people’ are represented? Table of Contents Introduction 3 What a Party means? 3 Nature of parties or pressure groups 4 Characteristics of a party or group 4 Role of Political party, free elections and Pressure groups 5 Effectiveness of doing free elections, competition among political parties and the activities of pressure groups 6 Conclusion 7 References 9 Bibliography 10 Introduction In a democratic state, people are the main representatives. They are the highest decision maker before implementation of any specific rule or regulation within the state or country. However, they may take place in varied political parties, pressure groups or free elections to present their views or ideas among other individual’s of the society. But in order to do so, it is essential to maintain the proper rules and regulations of the government of the state, otherwise, it may not represent a democratic state (Katz & Crotty, 2006, p. 18). Democratic state means the general citizens by taking advantage of their democratic rights present the votes in favour of their preferred individual. Then, he or she becomes the minister of the government of that state and acts as the representative of the general public. He or she presents the decisions of the local citizens in front of the other ministers of the government so as to make it effective in due course of time. Therefore, the prime objective of democracy is to maintain liberty, equality and fraternity among all the members of the group or country. Only then, it might surely become a democratic state that means the government of the people, for the people and by the people (Katz & Crotty, 2006, p. 18). This essay mainly highlights the effectiveness of a democratic party and the usefulness of having free elections, political parties and pressure groups. But it may be possible only if proper law and order might be maintained within the country or state (Katz & Crotty, 2006, p. 19). What a Party means? It is a group comprising of numerous individuals striving for a common cause but all supports the set of common governmental goals. It may be 2 or 3 or many party system. However in a party, people are the representatives always desiring to create equality and fraternity in a country to maintain peace and order. But, in the most imperative thing that need to be maintained is the rules and regulations of the government like: equal speaking power of the citizens, voting rights, rights of all basic needs etc (Hofmeister & Grabow, 2011, p. 4). Apart from political party, another type of group that also works for the benefit of general public is pressure groups. In recent age, maximum extent of the citizens do not try to engage in politics through voting and so without joining the political parties, they become politically active through their active membership in groups, organizations and associations of varied kinds. These type of parties are also known as pressure groups (Hofmeister & Grabow, 2011, p. 5). Nature of parties or pressure groups The parties or groups are some sort of permanent organizations that help in contesting elections with the aim to acquire the crucial positions in the government of the state. These small fractions of individuals or groups work for a common cause keeping at par with the rules and regulations of the state. Thus, these parties act as a device to highlight the desire or interest of the citizens among the higher authorities of the state or country (Hofmeister & Grabow, 2011, p. 6). Characteristics of a party or group The prime characteristics of party or a group is that the individual fights mainly for a common cause. Apart from this, another imperative characteristic of a group is that the maximum extent of the individuals of a specific group tries to follow the orders of the leader so as to attain the common objective or benefit. Due to which, the level of motivation and loyalty within the members of the group are extremely high as compared to others. Not only this, although the objective or goal of a group is common still the types of responsibilities presented to the varied members of the party or group varies in its aspects. However, all the members irrespective of caste and creed try to fulfil such duties with their full attentions and dedications for the benefit of the common individual as well as the country. So, they are highly appreciated by all the supporters of that party or group. Hence, it may be stated that equally and fraternity among the members of a party or group is extremely essential to meet any type of hurdles or problematic situations in a very simplified manner. Thus it may be depicted that people are the representatives of these parties or groups, who fights for the benefits of the general public to maintain equal rights for all (Epstein, 1980, p. 32). Role of Political party, free elections and Pressure groups Political parties or free elections always try to present the interests of the entire group among the other members of the country. This helps in proper election of the candidates for any particular group or committee to present their desires and interests. Therefore, political parties help in presenting the capacities and abilities to act together in a group to attain a common objective. It also enables individual from diverse backgrounds and creeds to act for a common cause without any sort of discrimination. Similarly, the intension of the pressure group or free elections is also to present the interest of the common citizens in order to make them effective in the country or state. But in every situation, the only common thing that need to be maintained to proper law and order within the country. So that, such political dealings or free elections do not result in any sort of discrepancies within the country or state (Epstein, 1980, p. 32). Linkages among citizens an government Linkages among different branches of the government Linkages between state, local and federal governments Register voters Simplify the decisions of votes Provide patronage Hence, it may be depicted that the prime role of the political parties or free elections or pressure groups is to ensure accountability, liberty, equality and fraternity among the citizens of the country. Thus, general people act as the representative of these parties or group working for implementing equal law and order within the state without any sort of discrimination as per caste, creed, race, sex etc. Only then, proper democracy may be developed within a state or country (Epstein, 1980, p. 33). Effectiveness of doing free elections, competition among political parties and the activities of pressure groups Free elections, political parties or pressure groups all are prepared for the achievement of the common interest of the general public of the country or state. This is because they are mainly elected by the general individual of the country so as to transfer their desires or interests in front of other citizens (Cross, 2011, p. 19). This is done in order to make the citizens aware about the activities and duties of the higher authorities for the benefit of the state or country. Other than this, with the help of political elections, the general public may freely caste their democratic right of voting so as to select the political party of their own choice. That may work in favour of their interest and benefits resulting in fulfilment of those objectives within a limited span of time. Moreover, they might work in such a way so that equal law and order may be maintained with all of them, thereby reducing the trouble of discriminations (Cross, 2011, p. 20). Other than this, the individuals of these parties also help to maintain the right to speak and the right for all the basic rights, right for clothes, right for free education at lower levels and many others for all without any sort of discriminations. Only implementation of such policies might help these parties in maintaining their operations for long run. Otherwise, due to breakdown of laws and policies, the supporters might vote against the party and result in entire collapse of the party along with the government of the country (Cross, 2011, p. 20). Therefore, it is extremely essential for the higher authorities of the state or country to implement new rules and regulations within the state only as per the policies of the government. So, it may be stated that coordinated effort of the individuals might lead to ultimate attainment of the desired objectives of the country or state. Hence, it may be stated that equality, fraternity and liberty are main three pillars of a democratic state that may present a stable government. A government might work for the advancement of the general public thereby reducing the fear of terrorism, conflicts, racism and castes and many other barriers within the state and country. Conclusion Conclusively, it may be stated that people act as the representative of a political party or pressure group to fulfil the benefits of the general public. They act as a mechanism with which, the interests are transferred to the higher authorities of the government of the state and country. So that it might be discussed among all other members of the parliament house and get implemented within the state or country for the benefit of all (Cross, 2011, p. 21). Apart from this, many policies or rules are also discussed so that it may be banned entirely. SO that it may be present any sort of trouble or discrepancy to the general public of the country or state. Thus, it may be described on the basis of the above mentioned points that political parties or pressure groups work for the benefit of the general people rather than their own. So that, all of them may take advantage of the rule or policy implemented. Only then, the members may be stated as the original representatives of the common publics of the country or state. References Cross, W., 2011. Political Parties. UBC Press Epstein, L. D., 1980. Political Parties in Western Democracies. Transaction Publishers Hofmeister, W. & Grabow, K., 2011. Political Parties Functions and Organisation in Democratic Societies. Political Party. [Online] Available at :http://www.kas.de/wf/doc/kas_7671-1442-2-30.pdf?120920114742 [Accessed on August 10, 2013]. Katz, R. S. & Crotty, W. J., 2006. Handbook of Party Politics, Sage. Bibliography Johnston, M., 2005. Political Parties And Democracy In Theoretical And Practical Perspectives. Political Reforms. [Online] Available at : http://www.ndi.org/files/1949_polpart_johnston_110105.pdf [Accessed on August 10, 2013]. Read More