ABSTRACT
Although political parties are indeed complex and multifaceted institutions, their primary motivations, their very reasons for existence, are quite simple. In the American two-party system, political parties-at least the two major parties-have two goals that override all other considerations and shape all decisions and actions: the parties desperately want to win elections so they can exercise government power and make public policy as they see fi t. Th ese twin goals must be kept front and center at all times when considering parties in the American context.
