Chapter Overview

This chapter presents an overview of political parties in their many manifestations around the world. The origin of modern political parties is discussed and the functions of political parties beyond getting people elected to office are highlighted (i.e. parties as instruments to mobilize the masses, recruit and socialize leaders, sources of political identity, channels of political control). The chapter also discusses the various ways parties are organized (using the US and Britain as examples), the sources of funding for political parties and Michels' "Iron Law of Oligarchy." Lastly, the chapter discusses the various types of party systems with examples (one-party systems, dominant-party systems, two-party systems and multi-party systems) and ends with extended discussions of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and Mexico's dominant party system.

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