ABSTRACT

Political parties are at the core of modern government and politics.

Nevertheless, their role has changed over time. It is argued, for example, that

the functional position of political parties has shifted from being the agents of

society to representing effectively and managing the institutions of the

modern state.1 Similarly, the principal functions of parties tend to revolve

around the recruitment of new political leaders, and the building and maintain-

ing of governments, while their representative functions are in decline.2