Schlesinger defines a political party as a "group organized to gain control of government in the name of the group by winning election to public office" (1153). This is different to an interest group who wishes to influence public policy. A political party wants to control the government and therefore create policy. Additionally, the members of the political party are focused on winning an "election to public office" as the mechanism to getting power. The political party will present members of the party as candidates for election.

Political parties perform many functions and the most dominant will be briefly discussed. Political parties provide a mechanism through which individuals can participate in a myriad of activities that are political in nature. They bring together persons with similar concerns and ideologies to duel against others, for control of political power. This organizing of the political conflict is an important function of a political party.

The political party is plays a pivotal role in the formation...

The winning party holds the power of the presidency and thus the major political influence. The party with the majority in the Congress and the Senate take control of these branches and can help or hinder the agenda of the president. The Senators and Congressmen, with the exception of independents, come from the membership of political parties. The parties are the providers of political leaders.
There are similarities between interest groups and political parties. The both groups are interested in a relationship to political power. Interest groups are focused on influencing that power, while political parties want to wield and mange political power. Ultimately, both groups are required to maintain the democratic process on an even keel.

Works Cited

Hays, Allen R. Democracy papers: The role of interest groups, 2010. Web. 6 Oct 2010.

Schlesinger, Joseph A. "The New American Political Party." The American Political Science

Review. 79.4 (1985): 1152-1169. Print.