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(Adapted from material in NDI’s “Political Parties and the Transition to Democracy: A Primer in Democratic Party Building for Leaders, Organisers and Activists.”)
Political parties are crucial to democracy. They serve to bring like-minded people together within a society to strive for a common goal. They provide policy ideas about how a society should be governed. They identify and train political leaders. They also act as a link between citizens and their government.
Too often little attention is given to the development of strong political parties. More concern is often paid to the establishment of governmental bodies and civic organisations. Both of these institutions are important. However, without strong and dynamic political parties democracy cannot survive in the long run.
Politics, politicians and political parties are also sometimes viewed negatively by the public. Some think that politics is a dirty business and that politicians and political parties are corrupt. However, politics is a noble pursuit. It is ultimately about serving the public and improving the lives of citizens.
You should be proud to be involved in politics and to be a member of your political party. Further, there is a political dimension to every aspect of life, and politics therefore, is unavoidable.
Political parties are not only made up of their leaders. Without networks of activists/members no party could function or be successful. It is critical that not only leaders, but all party structures understand the importance of political parties and how they function.
However, political parties, just as any other institution, should continuously seek to enhance their capacity in response to changing circumstances. Political parties, like all organisations, will decline over time if they do not make conscious efforts to strengthen themselves.
What makes Political Parties Democratic?
A vibrant multi-party democracy requires parties that are themselves internally democratic. Political parties that are not internally committed to democratic principles will likely fail to adhere to democratic values in their actions.
Importantly, parties that are internally democratic are more likely to be successful over time and to be able to adapt to new challenges and changing political realities. Political parties which are internally democratic:
· Allow members to express their views freely;
· Encourage participation of all members;
· Promote the membership of women (and other politically marginalised groups);
· Tolerate differing ideas;
· Abide by agreed upon rules and procedures for decision-making; and
· Hold leaders accountable to members and supporters.
Political parties that lack internal democracy are characterised by:
· Isolated and unchanging leadership;
· Marginalised party members; and
· Poor internal communication.
Party Unity
For political parties to be effective, their members need to adhere to a common vision and follow rules of the party. A political party should be cohesive. Parties cannot tolerate members who:
· Fundamentally disagree with the leadership and ideas of the party;
· Are loyal to other parties; or
· Refuse to work within the party structure.
Parties that are unable to maintain discipline will likely cease to be coherent organisations. At the same time, political parties that don’t permit a divergence of views and who don’t tolerate any individual initiative on the part of their members are likely to become stagnant over time.
Political parties should strive to balance the need for ideological consistency and organisational coherence with the need for new ideas and innovations.
According to our General Secretary, Comrade Peter David, speaking at the Convention on July 11, 2010, “A party begins to lose its soul when it only encourages the sameness of ideas.”
As members and supporters of the National Democratic Congress, a relatively young democratic party, we urge you to become more involved in activities of the Party. Get involved in your Community and Constituency groups, the Women’s Arm and the Democratic Youth Organization. Get involved and make a difference. Don't agonize; organize.
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