Describe the Nature and Functions of Political Parties in America. What Major Tasks Do the Parties Perform, Essay Example

Political parties present one of the essential mechanisms of a democratic society by ensuring the freedom of expression and political choice to the citizens. The existence of the parties guarantees political competition and prevents any political power from becoming monopolistic.

Today the political party system of the United States is represented by two major parties: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. All the other parties are grouped under the name “Third Parties”.  Since the middle of the 19^th century both parties have been controlled the Congress and alternately won presidential elections.

While the Democratic Party is mainly associated with the ideology of American liberalism and progressivism (social liberalism, not classical one), the Republican Party supports conservative and neoconservative ideology.

The leaders and most active representatives of both parties compose the current American government. The Democratic Party has been represented by the majority in the House of Representatives as well as the United States Senate since the general elections of 2006.

The Republican Party forms the legal opposition to the Democratic Party. It should also be noted that the “Independents”, who do not belong to either of the parties, also enter the House of Representatives.