Essay Example on the US Political Parties: Their Role in Elections

Introduction

The United States is one of the biggest democracies on the globe; its political party system has come a long way to what it is today. Currently, two major political parties in the United States keep watch on each other. The paper will give details operations of the political parties in the United States.

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Role Political Parties Play In Elections

Political parties are responsible for nominating candidates for public offices. Depending on the state or the available public office, each of the political parties will have a set of candidates where one will be chosen to be the party's flag bearer. Political parties also help in bonding of the members, through a common agenda; party members can identify with the party manifesto that helps bond them together (Cnx.org. 2019). In a successful election, the political parties form the government. An unsuccessful bid means that the party becomes the official national watchdog, commonly known as the opposition.

How Political Parties Were First Formed

The end of the revolutionary war created two groups with different opinions regarding the direction that the United States should take in regards to politics. With this, a system of two opposing sides dominated the US political party system, therefore creating a two-party system that has dominated the nation since then (Cnx.org. 2019). Political parties were also formed through coalitions; for instance, the revolution of 1800 saw the union of the executive branch into one party (Cnx.org. 2019). The anti-federalist coalition with other parties to create the democratic-republican shows how political parties were formed in the initial years.

Interest Groups and How They are Affected by Socio-Economic Status

Interest groups in the United States are formal associations made up of individuals or organizations that are formed to influence the government's policy or the decision making process (Cnx.org. 2019). Interest groups are represented by a lobbyist who gets compensated for presenting their needs to governments. The lobbyist is also expected to register with the government that they lobby for a specific interest group (Cnx.org. 2019). Various laws created to manage interest groups have helped bring a better understanding of the groups.

Interest groups are effects by the socio-economic status through their members. Influential individuals who feel that their rights are violated or who have a common cause come together to create an interest group that will call for their rights. Essentially, Interest groups become popular when their cause is common to everyone, and there is an attainable goal (Cnx.org. 2019). For instance, the anti-gun movement is currently popular until gun regulations are in place. When the common cause is achieved, the group loses drive.

Formation and Role of Congress

The congress was formed to seal the loopholes that existed in the original United States Constitution. The article of confederation did not meet the requirements of the young nation, and it was revised. In the revision and discussions that followed, Congress was formed as we know it today. The debate on how to allocate power between large and small states brought about the great compromise, the compromise brought about the current bicameral congress as we have today (Cnx.org. 2019).

The congress is mandated to make laws that govern the land. By sharing power between the president and the Supreme Court, it can oversee the activities happening on the land. Other functions include the conduction of investigations on matters of the state. The congress also airs the issues that are affecting the people (Cnx.org. 2019).

Reference

Cnx.org. (2019). American Government. Retrieved May 7, 2019, from https://cnx.org/contents/[email protected]:inj6xZMj@4/The-Institutional-Design-of-Congress