Authors: Nohlen
Summary: In nearly 1500 words the entry offers a general definition that applies to all historical examples, distinguishes parties from other interest groups, discusses alternative theories for the development of modern parties, and analyses the function of parties in a democratic political system. In general parties are organized groups of like-minded citizens formed for the purpose of achieving common political goals. What distinguishes parties from other societal interest groups is that the former not only articulate interests but also aggregate and integrate them. That is, in political sytems that are not strictly authoritarian parties are directly part of the political decision-making process. Theoretically, what leads to distinct forms of parties under specific historical circumstances is a dual dialectic: parties aim to achieve particular interest but also aim to take control of the whole political system, and homogeneity of members and their interests makes a party strong but the appeal to the public has to be broad to be successful. Empirically, three clusters of theories for the development of modern parties are distinguished: institutional theories, historical crisis theories, and modernization / social change theories. All threeexplain the genesis of parties out of clashing interests of societal groups, while pointing to distinct reason for the emergence of interest conflicts. Each country is distinct because of differences in existence and relevance of general and particular cleavages. The function of political parties in liberal democratic political systems is summarized as four fold: developing a political platform, articulating and aggregating interests, mobilizing societal and membership support, and lastly recruiting elites and forming governments. The entry ends with a reflection on the problems resulting from this dialectic between functions directed toward specific interests and the society as a whole.