Political Party
What is the purpose of having a Political Party?
Critical Mass in fund-raising, to pay for Big Media Advertising.
To simplify the "choice" for the voters by defining a memorable "Brand". (This works for small parties, also, who lack enough visibility to promote many individual members.)
A party probably starts as a well-intentioned AdHoc, to let people of like minds support each others' efforts.
George Washington's farewell address dealt a great deal with the dangers of political parties.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/p1/party-po.asp
http://fhss.byu.edu/washsem/ps102/parties.html
Pages about US parties, chronologically:
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