Political parties have come to play a critical role in contemporary theories of democracy. In order to achieve a system where voters regularly influence the authoritative actions of policymakers, it is said that the system of recruitment to political office must be organized so that stable competition between organized political factions occurs. V.O. Key, whose careful analysis of Southern Politics convinced him of the evils that thrived where political competition was disorganized and sporadic, identified three distinct consequences of party competition. First, voters' choices are simplified by continuous competition between organizations with well-recognized policy orientations. Otherwise, the voter is confronted with new faces, new choices, and must function in a sort of state of nature.'1 Second, Key saw that party competition promoted electoral focus on issues of importance to most voters. Third, without parties the political process is biased in favor of dominant groups in society, because Organization is not always necessary to obstruct; it is essential, however, for the promotion of a sustained program in behalf of the have-nots.. .2