Why are politcal parties so important these days?

Question

Why cant we all just focus on all the issues instead of having to decide between them with political parties?

Sorry about the "these days" my bad, please just ignore it, I know they have been around since the beginning of civilization I didnt mean anything by it.

Answer 1

I personally wish this wasn't the case. In fact, unless there is a drastic shift in the way Nader is doing him, I have vowed him my vote until he at least gets his 5% of the vote...and is eligible for campaign funding by the govt like the other guys.

Anyway, political party systems are a logical way of acquiring power in numbers. Not that this is the right or only way to do things, I did say logical. More people in the same cause tend to have a bigger voice, they can act collectively to get their views across and influence the way the government works. If you are trying to get big attention and have a big chance at convincing anyone of your ideas, you can be ONE person banging on doors, burning all your gas, etc or you can pool your money for a TV commercial with others that feel similar to you, and then hold a rally where people come to YOU.

It also tends to simplify (maybe water down) the voting process for the average person. The avg voter can go to where most of their views are supported, align themselves with that party, and cast their vote as a straight ticket.

Sometimes door-banging serves it's purpose, though. A passionate loner banging on doors will make smaller mistakes that don't become common knowledge, identify with his constituency on a more intimate level, and as a grass roots movement, is more likely to bring other powerless people together to affect change from the ground up. But they usually don't make much dent as a political force, grass roots movements are a very good group to affect change on the economic front. What usually happens when a grass roots movement gets a certain size...is they align together as a political party.

So political party is a unified voice of like minded people...that tends to have more power than individuals working alone.

Answer 2

They are important to pool money to support their issues.The two parties today have not been in power since the beginning.I do not think that they will be from now on.The voters are waiting for a party that hits home to them, and focused on a small number of the most critical issues.There is a lot of talk about moving to the middle, but that produces no results.If a party takes on to many issue as a platform they lose focus.

Answer 3

Political parties have historically been more important than they are today. The lines were more distinctly drawn. For example Republican fiscal restraint would be impossible to recognize in the Bush/Cheney administration. Party loyalty and patronage were important factors locally but no longer.

Everything seems to be about elections these days but not governing. Raising money and 24/7 cable television with hours to fill of fair and balanced non-news have nearly poisoned the process in my humble opinion. But the parties don't stand for much and loyalty is in short supply.

Answer 4

In other countries, political parties do make a difference, since many different parties have to work together to win elections and make changes.

In the US, we just have a two party system, that has become so corrupt, that only the rich or those that rub shoulders with the wealthy can become elected. US politicians don't bother to deal with issues since raising money is the key to getting elected here.

Answer 5

The political parties do focus on the issues, but they throw their opinion in there with them. It's hard to know what the real issues are right now because of the influence political parties have on the media. All you can do is tune up your baloney detector to decide what is right and what makes the most sense to you.

Answer 6

Aside from the useful shorthand political parties can provide, they provide a block of people to promote a common interest.

In the legislature, the majority sets the agenda for legislation and committee chairs have enormous oversight of upcoming legislation and investigatory powers.

On balance, yes, you should support someone who best fits the issues you care about. I am a little left of center but I've had no qualms about voting Republican when our views coincided (namely I voted for Michael Bloomberg for NYC mayor and would completely support him if he chose to run for president under any ticket.)

Answer 7

It provides americans with something to believe and feel apart of. It's all just an idea anyways. These "parties" define issues differently with different degrees of importance.

Answer 8

What do you mean these days. Political parties have been fundamental in all democracies in all countries in the world.

But you are right. A person should not vote according to his parties doctrine, but according to his principles.

Answer 9

this is unquestionably magnificent given the anti-congress sentiment national after their dismal overall performance in the final 60 years. i'm been advised by utilising such various people who have been earlier congress electorate that they voted for the BJP. human beings have been throwing shoes and chappals on the Congress social gathering.however the count form surprisingly adequate, favoured the Congress. of course Naveen Chawla labored his magic with the EVMs for the Congress. In my section Congress have been given the 2nd maximum votes yet we in no way even observed them campaigning in the section. human beings do no longer additionally be responsive to the Congress candidate from the section! they have purposely arrived at a sort even dropping in some factors so it sounds like they gained honest and sq. yet there is unquestionably something fishy approximately those elections.

Answer 10

"these days"?? They have always been as important and as controversial as they are today.
As for 2 major parties......There is power in numbers. Simple as that.