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Parties grow out of social movements and organizations. Social movements and organizations form the social environment in which political parties operate. They complement the actions of parties or prevent the spread of their influence on society, act as a basis for the restructuring of existing parties or the emergence of new ones.
A public organization has common features with a political party and at the same time differs significantly from it. It is related to a political party by the voluntary association of citizens, the presence of an organizational structure and activities on the basis of self-government. Unlike a political party, a non-governmental organization is usually not an ideological community and does not aim to gain state power. The main purpose of its creation and activity is to meet the interests and needs of its members. In democratic states, the right to freedom of association in political parties and public organizations is constitutionally recognized as one of the most important political rights. However, the right to freedom of association in political parties, as well as the right to take possession of state power and to participate in its exercise is recognized only for citizens, while foreign citizens and stateless persons can also be members of public organizations.
Criteria for distinguishing movements and parties:
- Ideological: while a party can be defined as a certain ideological community tied to a particular political ideology, such identification is not necessary for social and political movements.
- Purpose or focus: if the programs of political parties are a multi-purpose reflection of socio-political doctrines, movements are focused on achieving a separate, clearly defined specific goal, which under certain conditions can be transformed into a universal one.
- Attitude to power: socio-political movements do not aim to gain state power, which is typical for political parties. Unlike the latter, movements are not part of state institutions with their own structures, but are, however, part of the political system of society.
- Organization: unlike parties, movements do not have strong long-term organizational structures. Movements can unite people of different party affiliation to achieve certain political goals.
