With concrete illustration explain the major functions played by different political parties in the contemporary world

Political parties play a crucial role in the functioning of a democratic society. Here are the major functions played by different political parties in the contemporary world:

1. Representation: Political parties represent different sections of society. They express the needs and aspirations of the people in the parliament or legislature. For example, the Democratic Party in the United States represents a broad spectrum of liberal and progressive interests, while the Republican Party represents conservative and libertarian interests.

2. Forming Government: Political parties form and run governments. They do this by winning elections. For instance, in the United Kingdom, the Conservative Party and the Labour Party have alternately formed governments for most of the 20th and 21st centuries.

3. Making Laws: Political parties play a key role in making laws for a country. The party or coalition in power introduces bills in the legislature, which are debated and passed into law. For example, in India, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act, which was passed by the Parliament and became law.

4. Opposition: The party or parties not in power play the role of the opposition. They critique the government, hold it accountable, and offer alternative policies. For example, in Australia, the Australian Labor Party, when not in power, plays the role of the opposition to the ruling Liberal Party.

5. Policy Formulation: Political parties formulate and promote their policy agendas. These policies guide their actions when they are in power. For instance, the Green Party in Germany promotes environmental sustainability as a key policy agenda.

6. Mobilizing Public Opinion: Political parties mobilize public opinion in favor of their policies and against the policies of their opponents. They do this through election campaigns, public meetings, and media. For example, the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan uses media campaigns to mobilize public opinion.

7. Providing Political Stability: By providing a structured competition for power, political parties contribute to political stability. They provide a peaceful way to transfer power from one group to another. For example, in Canada, power alternates between the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party, contributing to the country's political stability.

In conclusion, political parties play a vital role in the functioning of a democratic society. They represent the people, form governments, make laws, play the role of the opposition, formulate policies, mobilize public opinion, and provide political stability.