pártok

Political parties, or pártok in Hungarian usage, are organized groups that seek to influence public policy and form government by contesting elections. They recruit and nominate candidates, mobilize voters, and develop policy platforms intended to translate broad social interests into collective government programs. Through campaigns, parties communicate choices to the electorate and organize majority coalitions after elections.

Parties vary by country and system. They may be ideological, based on a coherent set of principles; or catch-all organizations that try to appeal to a broad electorate. Some are single-issue groups. Party organizations include national leadership, regional or local branches, and affiliated associations. Membership structures range from open participation to restricted enrollment. Funding typically comes from member dues, private donations, and, in many countries, state subsidies or public financing for elections.

The party system shapes governance and representation. In proportional representation systems, multiple parties may enter parliament, enabling coalition governments; in majoritarian systems, two or a few parties often dominate. Parties perform functions such as aggregating interests, recruiting public officials, organizing administrative tasks, and providing political legitimacy. They also face critiques regarding internal democracy, influence of donors, and the potential for factionalism or policy inconsistency. The term pártok covers both broad-based parties and smaller or regional groups within parliamentary democracies.