Question

Why was James Madison an opponent of political parties? Why do people dislike parties today? Why do political scientists believe that parties play a fundamental role in a democracy? How important are political parties in a democracy?

Answer 1

James Madison was an opponent of political parties because unlike congress, the presidency, the Supreme Court, and even the free press are not mentioned in the Constitution and he knew that.

People dislike parties today because the new style of campaigns has brought out aspects of politics that were once largely out of sight. Ambition, manipulation, and deception have become as prominent as issues of policy and leadership, which is unnecessary. Today's campaigns are also characterized by promises-endless promises. Unlike their predecessors in the age of party-centered politics, today's candidates are unable to campaign on broad statements of principle within the context of a reliable base of party loyalists.

Political scientists believe that parties play a fundamental role in a democracy because parties link "citizens and the people in government who make the decisions that affect our lives.""By bringing together people with shared interests, they amplify these people's voices in speaking to government. They raise issues that they want government to solve. They tell people what government is doing. They keep an eye on one another's behaviors as well as on the actions of public officials"

Political parties are important and are of much value in the Democracy.

They Creates democratic consensus
-Unifies electorate
-Helps organize voters
-Increases voter turnout
-Agregates interest
-Translate ideas into policy