Political party

A political party is an organization dedicated to gaining political power for both the party and its members.

A typical political party will endorse a "platform", which represents their stands on various issues of the day. Depending on the party, and the issue, adherence to every point of these platforms is not necessarily required. Often what is more important in governing situations among larger parties is what is called "party discipline", where members are expected to vote a certain way on certain bills, however close or distant the issue at hand is to the actual platform.

Dominant parties will usually have very long, intricate, and watered-down platforms that reflect their large base of member voters. Smaller parties, which often form in reaction to a single issue or small group of issues being neglected (in their opinion) on the political stage, will often have short, concise platforms.

Examples include:

• In the United States:
  • Democratic Party (Moderate conservative)
  • Republican Party (Extreme conservative/reactionary)
  • Green Party (Liberal - environmentalist, pro-consumer rights)
  • Libertarian Party (Right wing with a side of drugs and sex)
  • Reform Party (Moderate conservative with a side of nuts)
  • Constitution Party (Extreme right wing, loony theocratic fascists)
  • American Nazi Party (Batshit insane racists)

• In the United Kingdom:
  • Labour Party
  • Conservative Party
  • Liberal Democrats
  • Scottish National Party (SNP for short, campaigns for independence for Scotland, and has no connection with the British National Party)
  • British Nazi National Party (unfortunately, very similar to the American Nazi Party, except slightly more subtle about it)
  • Monster Raving Loony Party (with the slogan "vote for insanity, you know it makes sense")
  • Tea Party (Wait, wasn't that in the US?)

• In Antartica:
  • The Snow and Ice Party (Supports incremental change at a glacial pace)

• In China:
  • The Communist Party (Wins all elections, represents all workers. Sure.)

• In Australia
  • The Liberal Party (Conservative)
  • The Labour Party (Liberal)
  • The Democrats (Republican)