Final answer:
During the "Golden Age" of political parties, they were considered as gatekeepers in politics, significantly involved in candidate recruitment and the electoral process, fulfilling a central role in nominating candidates and influencing government policy.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a political era known as the "Golden Age" of political parties, such organizations were typically considered as gatekeepers of the political process. Their role in recruitment of candidates and involvement in the electoral process were significant, with parties playing a central role in vetting and nominating candidates for election, a basic function as highlighted by University of Illinois professor Lester G. Seligman. This practice is evident in different political systems around the world, such as the parliamentary system in the United Kingdom, where political parties are crucial in candidate recruitment, starting from local government to a seat in Parliament. In contrast, the United States has seen political parties and interest groups sharing the candidate recruitment responsibilities, with interest groups gaining increased influence in recent years.
Political parties not only support candidates but also promote a vision and a platform, forming a coalition among disparate interests to influence government policy. States like the United States have a two-party system, whereas many European countries have multiparty systems that require sharing power among various parties. Furthermore, political parties are involved in voter registration, advocating policy, and raising funds. The Democratic Party, for example, was a pioneer in organizing the electorate and leveraging state laws to broaden suffrage, which led to shifts in party politics and the way elections are conducted. As political parties evolved, they have become complex organizations operating on multiple levels, with three major components identified as the party in the electorate, the party organization, and the party in office.