We all are responsible citizens of our country right? We aspire for democracy, we assert our right by casting our votes and most often we are extremely loud about any and every political issue. But how many of us truly know about politics? How much do we really care about the government?
These are the questions that this article aims to address. Half knowledge is even worse and more dangerous than ignorance. You can’t just overlook this. Rather it’s a better idea to possess some brief information about the origin and functions of political parties so that you don’t make a fool of yourself while conversing with your peer group.
This knowledge will further help you to cast the right vote to the right person. Being a responsible citizen you must bear equal responsibility towards your state as your government authority does. You can’t simply blame them for any wrong decision. Rather bring the change by yourself which you are looking for. And all these start with a basic knowledge.
Without further adieu let’s discuss about the origin and functions of political parties.
Firstly you need to know that the revolutionary leaders such as Washington, Madison and Hamilton never liked this idea of a political party and all of them voted against it! Surprising isn’t it?!
While the federalists wanted a unified central government, anti federalists asserted themselves to be democratic republicans. The basic difference between these federalists and anti federalists is the fact that the federalists support industry and on the other hand the anti federalists or the democratic radicals became vocal for the farmers and artisans.
A strong difference between the opinions of two parties led the scenario to civil war. While the slave occupying southern planters followed one path, the northern industrialists and western farmers wanted to follow a different ideology.
In 1828 Andrew Jackson got elected. He stands for the democratic Republican Party. And the anti Jackson democrats immediately joined with federalists in order to create the whig party.
By 1854 slavery became a major issue in political debates. Anti slavery acts started to form in the republic party while southern democrats supported state rights and slavery. After the grand defeat of democratic power, republican became stronger and the table gradually started to turn.
Further in 1930 democrats and republicans again divided. While the democrats felt that the government should actively help people, republicans opined that the government is assuming extreme power.
Nevertheless both of the parties tend to agree on most of the services and issues arose in contemporary times. However their opinions sometimes differ on specific issues.
The American independent party never supported racial integration. On the other hand Libertarian party stresses equal rights. Green party is a part of the major environmental movement. Bear in mind that the smallest local division is the precinct. And every four years the parties organize national convention. Delegates are usually chosen during primaries, precinct caucuses or by state conventions. Minor parties too can play a role in politics.