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Forum Post: What useful purpose do political parties perform?

Posted 12 years ago on March 20, 2012, 3:39 a.m. EST by jrhirsch (4714) from Sun City, CA
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Why have political parties? Democracy does not require them to function. The Constitution does not require or even mention them. Name one compelling reason why Democracy should continue to be ruled by these groups?

3 Comments

3 Comments


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[-] 2 points by RedSkyMorning (220) 12 years ago

1) They vet candidates 2) They help organize fundraising-maybe not useful 3) They create a platform agreeable to a large enough swath of the populous to win an election

Even direct democracies have had factions or "parties." The Founders spoke often about factions within a democracy.

We need more parties, less germandering and more power to break up corrupt parties. They have uses, though, as being forms of organization.

[-] 1 points by jph (2652) 12 years ago

Political parties are required, to provide a hierarchic leadership structure, for the 1% to corrupt and control.

One other function, is that of filtering out unwanted opinion in political debate. For example look at that recent incident, where net-based questions where submitted to Obama for a televised response. The number one question, by twice the next popular question, was about why Cannabis is still illegal, and it was never asked on air to Obama! Is that democracy in action? I think not.

[-] 1 points by Dell (-168) 12 years ago

No reason - go ahead - run for office on your own - No one is stopping you. There are plenty of independents who run. We are too stupid to not give them a chance. So we get what we deserve. Nothing the government does is without our consent.