Functions of political parties in society and the state. Functions of political parties in modern societies
What has been said about political parties, their place and role in political system, society as a whole concerns mainly the theoretical model, the ideal of the party. In reality, the assessment of political parties cannot be unambiguously positive. It has long been noted that they also have significant negative features; they can have a destructive impact on society.
TO negative traits According to the definition of one of the founders of the theory of political parties - partyology - G. Michels, a political party has a tendency towards oligarchization of its structure and activities. This tendency follows from the very nature of politics - the unity and struggle of common and partial interests. Its essence lies in the fact that in the party, as in any other large organization, power is gradually concentrated in the hands of leaders, a gap is formed and the interests of leaders and ordinary members are opposed, efforts are concentrated on the implementation of intermediate, rather than final goals. “Recognition of an organization,” wrote G. Michels, “is always a manifestation of a tendency towards oligarchization. The essence of any organization (parties, trade unions, etc.) contains deeply aristocratic features. An organizational machine that creates massive structures causes a major change in the organized masses. She turns the leader's attitude towards the masses into its opposite. The organization completes the final division of any party or trade union into a leading minority and a controlled majority."
The legitimacy of the critical attitude towards political parties that G. Michels began back in 1911 later found its broad practical confirmation. And not only by contrasting the interests of leaders and ordinary members. In the 20th century The inter-party struggle sharply intensified, extremist parties entered the historical arena - communist, fascist, which, in the struggle for power and in the process of its implementation, relied on violence. As a result, many political scientists and politicians have developed a critical attitude towards the very phenomenon of a political party. Not without reason, the opinion has become widespread that parties distort the will of the people, separate and contrast its various parts, usurp power and alienate ordinary citizens from political life, stimulate the thirst for power, promote corruption. Some political scientists began to consider the only acceptable type of political party to be destructured and decentralized communities that would arise in the process of self-organization of citizens and function as centers of discussion and direct democracy.
However, it is obvious that such organizations would be unable to conquer and effectively exercise state power in a serious competitive struggle. Society cannot do without political parties, because they are exponents of objectively existing diverse social interests and balance these interests in the struggle for state power. With the help of political parties, civil society resolves a number of important issues of its existence: it delegates up to power structures its representatives, makes a choice between various concepts of social development, and controls the activities of the highest government bodies. Without support from parties, the work of parliament is impossible.
The party is necessary element democratic political system. Political regime without parties, it perpetuates the dominance of traditional elites formed on the basis of origin, nobility, and wealth. This regime makes elections formal and imposes leaders alien to the people. Historical experience shows that if society is not ruled by political parties, then it is ruled by clans. Specifications general idea The typology of political parties contributes to the discussion of political parties, their advantages and disadvantages, their place and role in the political system.
The place and role of a party in the political system is determined largely by its functions. The functions reflect the main tasks and directions of activity of a political party, its purpose in society. Among the most general functions political parties include:
Representation of social interests;
Development of program guidelines, political line of the party;
Formation of public opinion, political education and political socialization of citizens;
Participation in the struggle for power and its implementation, in the formation of the political system of society;
Training and promotion of personnel.
Within the framework of these functions, it is possible to identify more specific, specific tasks. The content, forms and methods of implementing the same functions may differ between parties various types. There are also specific functions performed by certain parties due to the peculiarities of their development and position.
Important place occupies a position in the activities of the party representation of interests classes, social groups and layers. The content of this function is the identification, formulation and justification of the interests of social forces, their integration and activation.
As mentioned above, the formation of parties is genetically determined by the differentiation of society into classes and other social formations with different interests. XIX – early XX centuries. - This is a time of sharp demarcation of social and class positions. This does not mean that the party system of society is an exact copy of the social class structure of society. It always turned out that there is various options class politics: social democratic and communist - among the working class, liberal and conservative - among the bourgeoisie. The formation of national and religious parties that go beyond class boundaries indicates the multidimensionality of the social structure of society, the presence of various strata that claim active participation in political life as its subjects.
Recent decades have brought significant changes in the content of the representation function. Western political scientists believe that class parties have replaced class parties since the mid-20th century. the so-called “national parties”, or “parties for everyone”, began to arrive. Such a party strives to avoid identifying itself with the interests of any one class or layer, but appears as a spokesman for the general interest. In order to achieve success, especially in elections, the party today must take into account the interests of an entire bloc of forces. Parties strive to win a majority of votes and, in accordance with this, build their strategy and tactics, striving to harmonize various interests. The image of the party is now shaped not so much by class orientation as by a certain type of policy.
This concept reflects objective changes in the life of society, however, the term “party for all,” as we see it, cannot be taken literally: not a single party, since it represents one of possible options policies cannot satisfy everyone. Despite the expansion of the social base of the parties, differences remain between them both in terms of the forces to which they primarily focus, and in terms of their general ideological and political orientation.
The interests of various social groups are aggregated and expressed in the process of developing a political program and implementing the political course of the party. The following function of the party is connected with this - development of program settings, socio-economic and political strategy. The party, as a rule, has a long-term political program based on certain ideological principles. Even if a party is not based on any strictly defined ideological system, a certain ideological commitment is manifested in its specific activities and the values it defends.
There are pragmatic and ideological styles of party activity. Pragmatic parties are focused on the practical expediency of actions, on searching for any opportunities to achieve specific goals. Parties of the pragmatic type avoid accepting dogmatized programs that claim to be strictly scientific and the ultimate truth. The program of such a party is often an election platform. Pragmatic parties do not make strict ideological demands on their members. Ideological restrictions do not play a significant role for them, and they are sometimes sacrificed when concluding various types of agreements, forming coalitions, etc.
Ideological(or ideological, doctrinal) parties are based on a strictly defined ideological doctrine. They are characterized by upholding relevant ideals and principles, the desire to model a society with certain ideological guidelines and put them into practice.
Recognition by party members of its program guidelines - necessary condition strength of intra-party ties. However, the existence of various political factions in the party and the struggle between them cannot be ruled out. Ideological and programmatic differences have their limits, and violation of them can lead to organizational splits and the emergence of new parties. At the same time, some parties (communist, for example) prohibit factional struggle as incompatible with the statutory goals and objectives. Experience shows that prohibiting factional struggle is ineffective and leads to the ideological and political ossification of the party.
Parties strive not only to develop and update various political doctrines, but also to disseminate them widely in society. This is served by the publication of party materials, speeches by party leaders on radio and television, in the press, at rallies and meetings. The party is interested in recognition and support of its political line by public opinion.
Ideological function a political party also involves the political education of its members and supporters, the education of members of society in the spirit of certain values and traditions, the introduction of citizens to political life and ultimately contributes to their political socialization.
Function of exercising power political party includes:
Participation in the preparation and conduct of elections to government and administrative bodies;
The parliamentary activities of the party, its work in party factions of parliament and local authorities authorities;
Participation in the preparation and adoption process government agencies political decisions;
Political recruitment, etc.
In a modern democratic society, political parties in the struggle for power reject violent methods and focus on the electoral process. Elections are the main arena for party competition. In competition, success is achieved by the party whose political course appeals to the majority of voters. Therefore, one of the main tasks of the party is to ensure support from voters, create and expand its electorate.
As a result of changes in social structure society, educational level of the population, impact of funds mass media parties are losing stable influence on voters. There is an “erosion of party support,” as defined by American sociologists W. Crott and G. Jacobson. Many voters change their party allegiance from election to election, or support candidates of different parties at different levels of elections, depending on how the latter promise to solve certain problems.
Parties that have won parliamentary mandates form parliamentary factions or party groups. Factions submit various proposals to parliament for consideration, prepare bills, make requests to the government, participate in drawing up the agenda, and have other powers. Taking into account the number of parliamentary factions from different parties, the governing and working bodies of parliament (commissions, committees, bureaus, etc.) are formed.
In Western countries, the principle of autonomy of party factions in parliaments and municipalities operates, according to which factions are not directly subordinate to party bodies, including party congresses and conferences. They implement party programs and guidelines in accordance with specific conditions. But since the effective work of the parliamentary faction presupposes the presence of a certain internal discipline, party factions often adopt rather strict rules of behavior and even sanctions for violating them. For example, at a plenary meeting of a faction, a decision may be made obliging members of the faction to vote accordingly (a decision on “factional coercion” and “voting discipline”). Along with official coercion and other measures, the most effective are the prospects of not being included in the number of party candidates in the next elections.
The exercise of power by the ruling party is expressed not only in its initiating and advisory role in parliament, but also in the formation and subordination of executive bodies. Political parties participate in the formation of the ruling elite, selection and placement of management personnel. They are the institutions within which political leaders and statesmen are trained.
The ruling party, through its parliamentary faction and through its representatives in the state apparatus, participates in making political decisions that correspond to the interests of the social groups it represents. Party bodies and forums define the goals and objectives of the party in such a way that their specific implementation in the form of bills and other government acts remains the prerogative of the parliamentarians themselves, as well as administrative bodies, the economic apparatus, etc. The general practice in a democracy is that parties do not intervene directly V state system. Ruling parties strive to avoid directly linking their policies with the actions of the government and local executive bodies, and sometimes distance themselves from them in order to relieve themselves of responsibility for certain unpopular measures. Thus, the party and its bodies are, as it were, “alienated” from the state and influence it only indirectly. As a result, party bodies and organizations retain a purely public character and perform their functions on a non-state basis.
A political party acts as an intermediary between the state and civil society. Parties provide connection between the masses and government structures, institutionalization political participation citizens and the replacement of spontaneous forms of socio-political activity of the population with organized, controllable forms. Through political parties, citizens put forward their group demands to the state and at the same time receive requests from it for support in resolving certain political issues. Thus, parties develop both direct and backward ties between the people and the state.
This mediating role of parties is most fully manifested in a democratic society. In countries with totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, the role of ruling parties goes far beyond the scope of such mediation. Due to the absence of real competitors in the struggle for power, a political monopoly of the ruling party develops, which usurps power and political functions. The ruling party becomes over the state, establishes control over it, and through it over civil society. A party going beyond its functional purpose and attempting to replace state bodies destroys the socio-political nature of the party. Such an organization ceases to be a political party in in its own sense words, but only saves external signs such.
The success of any political party in society depends on many factors. Among them, it is necessary to note such as the form of government (presidential or parliamentary republic) and the type of national-territorial structure of the state (unitary or federal) within which it operates, the specifics of electoral legislation, the regime of government, etc. All this has an impact on the program, pre-election activity, and daily activities of parties after the election results are summed up.
The nature of a political party is most clearly manifested through its functions:
1) Struggle for power (peaceful redistribution of power between various social forces avoids social upheavals when the balance of political forces changes). Winning an election makes it possible to form a government and begin to implement the interests represented through public policy.
2) Social representation. Each party strives to unite the widest possible strata of society and represent various social groups, since success in elections can only be ensured by a party that expresses national interests rather than narrow group ones.
3) Social integration. Achieving agreement with the existing system, social conformism, reconciliation of the interests of conflicting social groups.
4) Political socialization of citizens. Inclusion of a person in the world of politics through the formation value orientations, social and political attitudes, skills in socio-political activities, formation of public opinion in order to ensure ideological support for the party and discredit its political opponents.
5) Political recruitment, formation of the ruling elite. Training and promotion of personnel and coordination of their work in government bodies, public organizations and movements.
6) Development and implementation of a political course (it is necessary to formulate disagreements with other political forces on the main issues of social development).
In order to effectively implement these functions, political parties need material resources. Sources of financing for political parties can be grouped into the following three groups:
Own party funds. They are formed through introductory and membership fees, deductions from the salaries of leading party members, income from property and business activities. There are some restrictions here. For example, in Slovakia, political parties are prohibited from having property abroad; in Egypt and Ethiopia, they are prohibited from engaging in entrepreneurial activity. In addition, this aspect of the activities of political parties can lead to the fact that when engaged in entrepreneurial activities, parties merge with financial and industrial capital.
Private financing. This includes voluntary donations from individuals and legal entities. Most democratic states legally limit or completely prohibit financial support political parties from charitable and religious organizations, state enterprises, anonymous sponsors, from abroad. Thus, in the USA and Israel it is prohibited to accept assistance from private legal entities (societies, organizations, firms, etc.). Sometimes both the amount of donations and the specific activities to be financed are determined by law.
Government funding. The state provides direct financial support to those parties that have passed the electoral threshold. There is a practice of distributing finances depending on the number of votes received by a party in elections (Germany, Sweden). In Denmark, Finland, Italy the amounts financial assistance determined by the number of deputy mandates received. In addition, there is also indirect government support for political parties. Parties are provided with free airtime, space for publications and statements in the media, etc.
The leadership of a political party must publish reports on the sources of financial income, expenditure of funds, and property of the party. Almost all countries have restrictions on spending on election campaigns.
Answer:
1) identification and generalization of various social interests,
2) development of a policy option (policy course),
3) nomination of candidates for elections,
4) representation of the interests of certain blocs of social forces in government bodies;
5) communication between civil society and the state;
6) replenishment of the ranks of their supporters;
7) introducing citizens to politics (political socialization), educating professional politicians.
C 26. Formulate four judgments that reveal the various functions of political parties in modern society.
Answer:
1) The activities of political parties make it possible to identify and generalize a variety of social interests.
2) Political parties are developing alternative options politics (policy course).
Political parties nominate candidates for elections
4) Political parties represent the interests of certain blocs of social forces in government bodies.
C26. Show with three examples the presence of a multi-party system in modern Russia.
Answer:
There are a significant number of political parties and movements (for example " United Russia", "A Just Russia", LDPR, Communist Party of the Russian Federation, etc.); deputies of the State Duma are elected from lists of political parties, subsequently forming parliamentary factions; Meetings of the President of the Russian Federation, members of the Government of the Russian Federation with leaders of political parties and movements, parliamentary factions, i.e. are periodically held. There is an obvious influence of political parties and movements on the adoption of government decisions and determination of the directions of political development of the country.
C 26. Illustrate with three examples the pluralistic nature of the Russian political system.
Answer:
1) nomination of different candidates for elections to government bodies in the center and locally;
2) the existence in the country of media that defend different political views;
3) the existence in the country of a multi-party system, parties that have ideological differences in their programs;
4) various factions are formed and operate in the lower house of parliament
From 27. In Japan, until 1993, the invariably ruling Liberal Democratic Party was always twice or more ahead of the second most important party (Socialist), which received about 20% of the votes. Due to the fact that the other parties represented in parliament had very little in common with the socialists, the liberal democrats did not encounter any difficulties in organizing the work of the cabinet of ministers and approving their bills. Can we say that Japan had a one-party system? If not, how would you characterize this system? Give reasons for your position.
Answer:
It cannot be stated that there was a one-party system in Japan. In this country there are many parties that can really influence the political life of society, which is completely inconsistent with the essence of a one-party system, characterized by the functioning of one party, which over time removes all competitors from political life. The party system in Japan can be described as "atypical" multi-party or quasi-multi-party.
C26. List three differences between political movements and political parties.
Answer:
Ø political movements do not strive to achieve power, but to influence power in the direction they need;
Ø political movements are more close to everyday life of people;
Ø movements have a broader, amorphous, motley social base than a political party;
Ø the optionality of complete ideological unity of movement participants, in contrast to a political party; political movements do not have a strict hierarchy, that is, there is no clear distribution of functions between the center and the periphery, etc.
Elections
C26. Scientists have determined that a voter's choice during voting is determined by a significant number of factors. List any three factors influencing a voter's decision.
Answer:
1) level of income and education of the voter;
2) influence social environment and surroundings;
3) the position of the media that are available to him;
4) national, religious, cultural factors.
C 26. Many states have introduced an age limit for a citizen to exercise the right to elect and be elected to government bodies. Is this qualification consistent with the values of a democratic society? Give three reasons for your opinion.
Answer:
1. the age limit does not contradict the values of a democratic society;
2.: - the age limit applies to all citizens of the corresponding age, i.e., the principle of equality is not violated;
The age limit does not exclude other opportunities for adolescents and young people to participate in the political life of society;
The age limit does not violate the principle of periodic election of public authorities;
The age limit is appropriate due to the timing of the political socialization of adolescents and young people.
C26. Name three ways of political participation of citizens and illustrate each of them with a specific example
Answer:
1. Participation in elections (example: a citizen can participate in elections as a voter, using his active suffrage, a citizen can be elected to government bodies, to elective positions as a candidate);
2. submitting proposals to authorities (example: a citizen can take part in the discussion of new legislative initiatives by sending his proposals to parliamentarians, or can submit a letter or proposal to the government);
3. membership in political organizations (example: a citizen can be a member of a political party, can be a member of social movements or political clubs)
C26. It is known that many democratic countries are faced with the problem of low voter turnout. Some countries impose special sanctions (for example: fines) in relation to such voters, others consider participation in elections to be a right of the voter, which he may not exercise. Suggest what could be the reasons for the low voter turnout at the elections? Give three reasons.
Answer:
1)Low activity may be associated with political stability.
2) Voters have lost faith in democratic institutions and do not trust the authorities.
3) People are busy with private life and business, there is no interest in politics.
4) Crisis phenomena in society, the inability of the authorities to find a way out, lack of faith in changes for the better.
C 7. Society and the state are interested in the activity of the individual, which “is an important condition development of a democratic society." Based on your knowledge of the social science course and your life experience, give three arguments confirming the author’s correctness .
Answer:
1) an important condition for the development of democracy is elections to government bodies. From active participation citizens in the electoral process depends on how fully the elected deputies will reflect the interests of society;
2)activity of citizens, their participation in public associations allow you to create control over power, protect society from personal willfulness, the despotism of politicians who came to power;
3) the activity of citizens is a condition that ensures independence in matters of local self-government.
C27. During the elections of deputies to a representative body of power in one of the electoral districts, there was a struggle between three candidates. One of them received 42% of the votes and became the winner. What electoral system were the elections used? Give two arguments .
Answer:
1) elections were carried out according to majoritarian system of relative majority ;
2) two arguments: 1) elections by constituency refer to the majoritarian electoral system;
2) under a majoritarian system of relative majority, a candidate who wins less than half of the votes, but more than each of his rivals, can win. Other arguments may be given.
From 27. Your friend is running for deputies of the State Duma in a single-mandate constituency. 48% of voters in this constituency voted for him, while his competitors received 31% and 21% of the votes, respectively. Can you congratulate your friend on his election? Give two arguments.
Answer:
1) The correct answer is given: it is indicated that the candidate won the election, i.e. he can be congratulated on his election;
2) the following arguments are given:
It is said that he won in a single-member district;
Elections were carried out according to a majoritarian system, a system of relative majority.
C 27. In the state of N., representative bodies of power are created in accordance with the rule: “The winner takes all.” To be elected, a candidate must receive an absolute majority of votes cast in the constituency. What type can the electoral system of the state of N. be classified as? How did you determine this? Name the advantages and disadvantages electoral system of this type.
Answer:
Type of electoral system of the state of N.: majoritarian system (absolute majority).
A distinctive feature of the majoritarian system (one deputy - one constituency) is that the winner of the election is the one who wins 50% + 1 vote.
C 27. During the campaign for the election of the head of the regional administration, one of the candidates registered by the election commission was removed from the election race. The court upheld the Election Commission's decision. What on legal grounds could the Election Commission have followed in removing a candidate? Give three reasons
Answer:
1) the election commission found out during the inspection that the candidate submitted falsified lists with signatures
2) the candidate may have incorrectly indicated information about his income and property
3) the candidate could violate election legislation during his election campaign, use unauthorized means, administrative resources
From 27. On the day of elections of deputies State Duma Leaflets were distributed at polling stations in favor of one of the candidates. How do you assess the above example from the point of view of Russian election legislation? What rules (indicate three) should the election campaign of candidates for deputies be conducted by?
Answer
1) an assessment is given, for example: such a fact is contrary to the norms of electoral law, the day before the elections, campaigning for a candidate must be stopped, any pressure on the voter’s choice on election day is illegal;
2) the rules are given, for example:
All candidates must have equal access to the media;
Equal airtime for their election speeches,
Funds for the election campaign should go to a special fund, and their spending should be transparent to society and the authorities.
From 27. Elections of the head of administration were held in the region. In the second round, about a third of the voters who took part in the voting were cast against both candidates. Name any three reasons for protest voting in this area.
Answer:
1) the situation in this area is probably difficult, and people do not trust the authorities;
2) many people did not find positions in the programs of both candidates that would interest them;
3) candidates did not take into account the interests of voters;
4) people do not believe in the possibility of positive changes in society.
C 7. Country N. – Democratic state with a dynamically developing market economy and a high standard of living for the majority of citizens. However, every year in the country of N. the number of citizens who evade participation in elections at various levels is growing. Please indicate three possible reasons evasion of the citizens of this country from fulfilling their civic duty as voters.
Answer:
1) people are accustomed to a stable and rich life and do not see differences between political leaders and parties that are in power;
2) the people of this country are dominated by private interests, they are absorbed in their private lives and are not interested in
social problems, including political struggle;
3) in the political arena of a given country there are no prominent political personalities who could attract the interests of citizens and increase their involvement in political life;
see those forces in the political arena that will help them improve their position.
The place and role of parties in the political system is largely determined by their functions. The functions reflect the main tasks and activities of political parties, their purpose in society.
The most common functions of political parties include:
Representation of social interests;
Development of program guidelines, political line of the party;
Formation of public opinion, political education and political socialization of citizens;
Participation in the struggle for power and its implementation,
Training and promotion of personnel.
Social function political parties are associated with the representation of the interests of classes, social groups and strata. As a mediator between civil society and the state, the party is called upon to ensure articulation, public expression, formulation of the interests of various groups, their aggregation, highlighting the most socially significant demands and presenting them on the political agenda. The social function also involves the integration and mobilization of group members, their unification and organization around common goals.
Changes in the social structure of society over recent decades have led to increased instability and uncertainty in the social base of political parties and a weakening of party identification among voters. However, despite the expansion of the social base of the parties, differences remain between them both in terms of the forces to which they primarily focus, and in terms of ideological and political orientation.
Ideological function political parties is associated with the development of program guidelines, political courses, strategies and tactics of parties. The party, as a rule, has a long-term political program based on certain ideological principles. Ideology acts as theoretical basis party activities, guidelines for action.
The degree of adherence of parties to ideology may vary. There are ideological and pragmatic styles of party activity. Worldview (ideological, doctrinal) parties are based on a strictly defined ideological doctrine, defend the corresponding ideals and values, and strive to put them into practice. Pragmatic parties are focused on the practical expediency of actions, on solving specific problems and do not make strict ideological demands on their members.
Parties strive not only to develop and update their political doctrines, but also to disseminate them widely in society. Any party is interested in recognition and support of its political line. An integral part The ideological function is political propaganda and agitation. Publications of party materials, speeches by party leaders on radio and television, at rallies and meetings contribute to the formation of public opinion on topical issues public life and politics.
Educational function political party involves political enlightenment and education of its members and supporters, educating them in the spirit of certain values and traditions, and introducing them to political life. By participating in party work and various party activities, citizens receive socio-political information, assimilate political norms and values, and gain experience and skills in political activity. Thus, parties contribute to the political socialization of the individual.
The most important task of a political party is the struggle to gain and use state power in the interests of the groups of the population that support it, i.e. political function. This feature includes:
Participation in the preparation and conduct of elections to government and administrative bodies;
Parliamentary activities of the party;
Participation in the process of preparation and adoption of political decisions by government bodies;
In a democratic society, political parties act as an important, and sometimes the main subject of the electoral process. Elections are the main arena for party competition and a legitimate way to achieve power. Organizing and conducting an election campaign requires the party to know the basics of political marketing and mastery of election technologies. Participation in elections allows parties to declare themselves as a political force, use the opportunities of the election campaign to explain their ideas and program goals and, most importantly, to introduce party candidates to government bodies.
Parties that have won parliamentary mandates form their own party factions in representative institutions. Factions participate in drawing up the agenda, direct the course of debates and debates, submit various proposals to parliament for consideration, make requests to the government, and have other powers. Taking into account the number of parliamentary factions from different parties, the governing and working bodies of parliament (commissions, committees, bureaus, etc.) are formed.
In Western countries, as a rule, the principle of autonomy of party factions in parliament operates, according to which factions are not directly subordinate to party bodies, including party congresses and conferences. They implement party programs and guidelines in accordance with specific conditions. But since the effective work of the parliamentary faction presupposes the presence of internal discipline, party factions often adopt rather strict rules of behavior and impose sanctions for their violation. For example, at a plenary meeting of a faction, a decision may be made obliging members of the faction to vote in a certain way (a decision on “factional coercion” and “voting discipline”). This rather rigid model of relations within the faction and strict party discipline are characteristic of parliamentarians in Great Britain, Canada, Australia, etc. American model relations between deputies within the faction are characterized by greater freedom of action and weak party discipline.
The ruling party exercises power not only through its initiating role in parliament, but also by influencing the formation and work of the government and other executive bodies. Political parties carry out the selection and placement of management personnel, participate in the formation of the ruling elite, i.e. perform a function political recruitment. They are the institutions within which political leaders and statesmen are trained.
An analysis of the functions of political parties allows us to conclude that in a democratic society, parties act as an intermediary between civil society and the state. On the one hand, they represent the interests of various groups of the population in government bodies, on the other hand, they explain (or criticize, if it is an opposition party) government policies. Through political parties, citizens put forward their group demands to the state and at the same time receive requests from it for support in resolving certain political issues. Thus, parties are a link between government bodies and citizens.
Modern stage social development is characterized by significant renewal and reform of parties. In the development of political parties, such trends have emerged as the erosion of the social base, the loss of their social identity; “erosion” of party support; gradual de-ideologization of parties, increasing pragmatism in their activities; decentralization, weakening of party discipline; transfer of certain functions of parties to the media and other institutions. In this regard, some researchers have declared the crisis of the party as political institution, its loss of its role and influence in society, and even about the “end of parties” (D. Broder, J. Barber, etc.).
However, these claims have not received widespread support in the scientific literature. In the conditions of transition to post-industrial society, functional and organizational characteristics classical parties are indeed undergoing significant changes, a new generation of “postmodern” parties is being formed (universal, cartel, media parties, movement parties, etc.). But, despite some modification of parties and party systems, party rule remains the dominant institutional form of modern democracy.