Political parties are organized groups of people who share similar ideas about how a government should be run. They work together to influence laws and policies, aiming to represent the interests of their members and the public. In many countries, political parties compete in elections to gain control of government positions, such as the presidency or seats in the legislature. These parties often have specific platforms that outline their beliefs on issues like healthcare, education, and the economy. By voting for a party, citizens express their preferences for how they want their country to be governed, making political parties essential to the democratic process.