Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. A political party is a political organization that seeks to attain and maintain political power within government, usually by participating in electoral campaigns. Parties often espouse an expressed ideology or vision bolstered by a written platform with specific goals, forming a coalition among disparate interests. The type or electoral system is a major factor in determining the type of party political system. In countries where first past the post voting systems there is an increased likely hood for the establishment of a two party system. Countries that have a proportional representation voting system, as exists throughout Europe, or to a lesser extent preferential voting systems, such as in Australia or Ireland, three or more parties are often elected to public office.