Political parties are considered to be weak
Political parties are considered to be weak, but highly partisan, which raises a discussion that should be addressed on whether the combination is perfect. In analyzing this statement, Julia Azari comes up to explain how the cycle of running political activities has changed, which is evident in elections. The political parties are described as having a distinct and unique state of operation that is believed to be the cause of challenges in the political system today. One of the different elements mentioned is on how political parties have been overtaken by strong partisanship where they lack candidates who represent them during elections. According to Azari (2016), the position of both the partisans and the political parties shape American politics which influences our daily lives.
From her point of view, having political parties move from their formal structures has been affecting the policy demanders as they have been unable to meet the expectations of the people. She goes ahead to explain that the network approach in their system has become weak as most candidates have been narrowed down, ending up with little choices to makeover coordinating the political functions. Here, the network method which applies in exercising a form of control in party politics has been described to be weak as parties have been stripped off their roles. Rackaway (2018) further explain that it has created an environment where the voters do not listen to signals from the elites, and the elites do not work well together anymore. It, therefore, has made it difficult for the political parties to stand up and coordinate political activities and work together as everyone wants what they believe is best.
An example is looking at Bernie Sanders and his candidacy, where his drop out showed weakness in the coordination of the democratic process. It is clear that having a candidate who is not dominant and famous running for such seats exposes one to an uncoordinated field where they run into extreme situations with some even being at the risks of being attacked by the people. Azari with this goes ahead to emphasize that while political parties are considered weak, the partisans are strong. It is well explained by looking at the increasing gap that has existed between the Democrats and the Republicans votes. The differences between the two sides have caused a lot of negativity including dislike and cases of distrust among them. This situation explains the inability of parties to exercise some form of control in the people they nominate but still get support from their voters which makes it a dangerous combination.
Both the political parties and partisans play a role in shaping American politics, but with differences in their functioning is becoming a threat to their lives. Looking back in 2016 elections, a high number of party identifiers were seen to affect the process of getting the presidential nominees to run for the party. It reflected a weak form of party attachment which was unable to play a positive role in America’s political life. With this, most parties are now facing a lot of competition from groups that are centred on candidates as well as the public where they have lost their trust. This has driven Americans seeking to get a third party as they feel they cannot give their full support parties to any of the two major parties.
In this case, parties should be strong as when they get weak, and the partisans get strong, it creates a severe problem in America’s democracy. By being weak, they create a lot of suspicions which causes destabilization in different institutions such as law enforcement agencies. Political parties can with this be described as being critical in determining the democracy of any nation as they are required to hold campaigns, help the voters who are the citizens in making political choices. In addition to that, the parties have a role in ensuring they organize coalitions in government that are strong which is essential that they become strong to help in running these political activities. In situations where the law enforcements institutions get suspicious of the potential of the parties exposes the country at risks of losing their democracy which is a serious case.
Having strong partisanship undermines the ability to run a country well as it causes a division and distraction when it comes to serving the nation. It is therefore crucial that the political parties become strong to be able to assure the public that they are in control of the nation and are determined to bring out the best in political activities (Azari, 2016). The citizens need reassurance that the parties can be useful in creating a better society as they need to be assured that they can trust them in making decisions such as choosing leaders during elections. It can be obtained by fighting to become strong and overcome the frustrations that citizens have within the political system. Having a strong partisan creates more damages to them than good. According to Azari (2016), partisanship works in promoting the exercise of policy and belief and loyalty in a team, but it should be balanced with a team that will bring social sense. The involvement of the parties is the appropriate one as it works to balance different interests within a nation and maintain its democracy. In the maintenance of democracy, norms are necessary which the parties are the most reliable actors in its enforcement.
Azari, J. (2016). Weak parties and strong partisanship are a bad combination. Mischiefs of Faction.
Rackaway, C. (2018). Weak Parties and Strong Partisans. In American Political Parties Under Pressure (pp. 169-187). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.