Final answer:
National parties have a broader scope with national interest, while regional parties focus on local concerns. Regional parties need to expand their influence and adapt to election laws to become national parties. National parties play a vital role in elections and policy-making, but local interests still influence national elections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The differences between national and regional parties primarily revolve around their scopes of influence and policy interests. National parties focus on issues of wider, often nationwide, importance and integrate varied local interests into a larger agenda. They are crucial in presidential elections and have a more visible presence in media. Examples of how national party agendas can be influenced by social changes include shifts in stance on issues like race. On the other hand, regional parties concentrate on concerns pertinent to specific states or areas. They may support more localized interests that do not necessarily align with broader national ideals.
For a regional party to become a national party, it must expand its influence across multiple states and address a wider spectrum of issues. It would need to attract a diverse coalition of supporters and navigate the intricacies of election laws that can favor established parties. Parties balancing too narrow a focus may get marginalized, while those too broad may struggle with internal disagreement.
Political parties are fundamental in winning elections and implementing policy, and the structure ranges from the grassroots level to the nationwide stage. The national party's visibility and coordination of large-scale events, like national conventions, are key factors in its prominence. Despite the focus on national policy, elected officials must consider local interests even for national positions, such as the sensitivity towards senior's issues in congressional elections.