Political parties are essential for democracy because they help organize political competition, connect citizens to government, and facilitate effective governance. They allow groups of people with shared views to come together, contest elections, and hold power with common policies to promote the collective good. Without parties, independent candidates would struggle to make meaningful promises or form responsible governments. Parties serve several critical functions:

• They enable legislators to manage policymaking and cooperation within government.
• They help candidates by reducing campaign costs and providing reputational support.
• They act as information shortcuts for voters , simplifying choices by offering coherent platforms.
• They mobilize citizens to participate in elections and political life.
• They aggregate diverse interests and provide mechanisms for political accountability.
• Strong parties contribute to democratic stability and prevent authoritarian backsliding by institutionalizing democratic norms.

In sum, political parties are the vital link between citizens and the state, helping to aggregate interests, facilitate political participation, support responsible governance, and sustain democracy itself.