Political Party Assistance Policy
Source: USAID | Year: 2021
Representative political parties are central to any democracy. They perform a number of functions that distinguish them from any other civic or social organization. Political parties recruit and nominate candidates for elected ofice with the intent to govern. In the process, they develop positions on issues of public concern, stimulate public discourse, aggregate interests, and formulate governing platforms during election campaigns. After an election, parties form either the government or the opposition. Governing requires a different set of capabilities to translate electoral platforms into performance.
A central purpose of political party assistance is to help parties become more representative and to reflect the interests of all social groups and citizens, not only a narrow elite. Parties that become more inclusive in their conduct, outlook, and internal practices can enhance respect for rule of law, strengthen democratic processes, and advance social inclusion in their societies. Representative parties that include meaningful participation by traditionally marginalized groups1 can help to achieve gender equality and sustainable development milestones in their countries. The degree to which political parties respect the right of all persons to participate meaningfully in political life is an important indicator of the health of a country’s democracy. Ultimately, the existence of representative parties strengthens both the country’s commitment and capacity to govern in the interest of all, and therefore helps foster broader self-reliance.
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