Political Parties: Constitutional Roles, Recognition, Rights and Regulations

This primer guides the design of constitutional provisions relating to the roles, rights and regulation of political parties in a democracy. It covers the prohibition of anti-democratic parties, internal party democracy, party funding, registration, organization of caucuses and enforcement of party discipline through ‘anti-defection’ provisions.

This primer will be helpful for anyone involved—directly or indirectly—in constitutional change and anyone involved in strengthening legislatures and helping them to work more effectively. It provides a global survey of the ways in which constitutions provide for the organization, administration and privileges of legislatures.