Features of political parties

• political parties are groups of people with similar beliefs which promote ideas and causes that are important to their members
• features of political parties- range of interests, contest elections to win, seek to gain power, internally democratic, regulated by electoral commission and they have members with similar backgrounds
• party activities- deliver leaflets, fundraising dinners, selecting candidates, local party meetings an organise conferences
• party systems- single party, dominant party, two party, two and a half party and multi party
• single party- only one party exists and has total control
• dominant party- one party dominants the whole system even if other parties exist
• two party- two parties have the chance of gaining power
• two and a half party- two main parties and one significant minor party will act as a kingmaker
• multi party- many parties have a chance of gaining parties through coalitions
• Parties are associates of people who hold similar political views and beliefs and wish to promote these views
• Seek to gain government power at local, regional and National levels
• Most parties have some kind of formal organisation which is normally a hierarchy including leaders, activists and followers