Universal parties: definition, features, functions and examples

To understand what universal parties are, it is necessary to trace the development of the political process. Let's touch it briefly, highlighting the semantic moments. The fact is that universal parties are a product of modernity. They appeared as a result of a political evolution. This happened naturally, if we take into account the tasks of these organizations. But first things first.

The emergence of parties

In the modern form, public organizations began to appear in the nineteenth century. They were formed by two bonds: electoral and external. In the first case, the party was organized, as they say, from the bottom. The leader united the masses with the help of an idea. The second is the forced formation of a social movement based on the same interests. It was carried out by those forces that were already present in the parliament.

From this information it is necessary to draw one simple conclusion: for the existence of a political party, a platform is needed, an idea that unites people on voluntary principles. In the class society, these were the interests of strata and groups of the population. For example, the bourgeoisie, workers, peasants, industrialists, aristocracy and so on. The organizations were antagonistic, that is, the unifying ideas came into conflict. Universal parties have a serious difference from them. They seek to gather as many fans as possible in various strata of society.

Political parties, their functions, signs and types

It should be noted that organizations of this kind are quite numerous. All of them are divided:

• On class basis - peasant, workers, bourgeois;
• By organizational structure - hierarchical, centralized and so on;
• On the ideological criterion - conservative, revolutionary, reformist.

It should be noted that the classification is very conditional. If viewed from the standpoint of the situation in society, then the ruling and opposition parties singled out . Some of them operate illegally, others operate in the legislative field. Sometimes political forces are classified by membership: collective and individual. Each political force has several characteristics at the same time. The main functions of these organizations are as follows:

• Struggle for representation in government;
• The recruitment of new members and the education of leaders from among them;
• Work with public opinion: study and formation in accordance with their idea.

Features of political parties

In modern society there are many organizations and associations. Not all are political forces. The party has the following features, which is indirectly reflected in the legislation:

1. Participation in the electoral process, the desire to win power.
2. The presence of a specific ideological orientation.
3. Realization of all-round support of the population.
4. Establishment of an organizational structure and acquisition of legal status.

To explore what the universal parties are different from the others, we need to understand two points.

• Public forces are striving for power.
• They need to have as many supporters as possible.

Political struggle in the modern form loses the features of the class struggle. To be successful, the broad masses should be interested, going beyond the boundaries of the social strata that created the party. This is the sign of universality.

Evolution of ideas

Previously, the birth of political forces was the path of a few. Nowadays, technologies have been created that allow any active citizen to engage in political activities. By the way, this is often used by those who wish to have access to lawmaking activity, influence on the parliament. Universal parties are political forces that unite people with different views. Agree, it's not simple, but not impossible. Just need the right idea, which can "ignite the hearts of people." An example is the present-day Russia. Universal parties in the country are trying to create on the principles of patriotism. Citizens can have different, even mutually exclusive interests. But the Motherland loves most people. They want to be proud of their country, see it strong and developed. In such a universal party of patriots, peasants and residents of megacities, oligarchs and poor workers, teachers and rentiers who live on dividends, enter with pleasure. In other countries, they form their own ideas.

Universal games: examples

Italian political scientist J. Sartori noted that society is now becoming more complex, its social structure, its demographic composition is changing. From this he concludes that the role of parties has changed. Now they do not represent the interests of classes and strata of the population in the generally accepted form. There is a process of sociopsychological penetration of parties into society. In his opinion, universal parties differ in pragmatism. They are aimed at successful electoral activity. They are based on the principles of the balance of various interests. In Europe, such forces are the Social Democratic parties. Another political scientist called among the universal British conservatives and American Republicans. These forces are trying to attract as many people from various social groups as possible into their ranks. They are working to ensure that the interests of those not included in the conflict.

The role of universal parties in society

These organizations appeared in the process of evolution of the political process. They have their positive and negative features. The advantages of universal forces are to increase competitiveness in any election. They have more followers, therefore, their leaders have a serious chance of winning. In addition, the desire for balance contributes to the development of other ideas, the development of society itself, which also should be attributed to positive moments. The negative side so far has to admit that these organizations can not, by understandable circumstances, satisfy all adherents when they come to power. They have to constantly balance. Sometimes this leads to decisions that do not satisfy the majority of the electorate. Discontent in society in this case will increase, which will lead to a crisis. Look at the modern European Union, which has no strength to overcome the flows of migrants. This is a typical case of inability to work out a solution that suits everyone.

Conclusion

The undoubted advantages of all-inclusive (universal) parties will lead to the fact that they will oust other forces from the political arena. Rather, all the others will acquire their features. For the political party, one of the most important conditions for existence is the electoral base. Balance, the rejection of adherence to a single class stratum gives universalists more chances to win power. If you look further, after a certain time, the parties will no longer differ from each other. And this is the way to the death of the political process. Probably, it is natural, as evolution. And maybe they'll come up with something different. We'll see!