The political party whose membership comprises people of high social status is called

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the type of political party whose members are people of high social status, such as the wealthy, the educated, and the influential.

Step 2: Explain the concept Political parties are classified by their membership and structure:

• Elite party (cadre party): Membership is restricted to a small group of prominent, wealthy, or high-status people. Such parties are led by influential people and are not built on large numbers. Early European parties and the early Nigerian Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) are examples.
• Mass party: It seeks wide membership from all classes of society, including workers, farmers, and traders. It depends on large numbers and membership dues. The NPC, NCNC, and AG during the nationalist era moved in this direction.
• Religious party: It is organized around a religious belief or faith and promotes the interests of that religion.
• Broker party: It acts as a middleman that brings different interest groups together and balances their competing demands in order to win support, without a rigid ideology.

Step 3: Apply to the question The key phrase is "membership comprises people of high social status." This describes a party restricted to the upper class or privileged few, which is the definition of an elite party.

• A: Religious party is defined by faith, not social status.
• B: Broker party is defined by its role of balancing interests.
• D: Mass party is the opposite, because it is open to all classes.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is C. elite party.

Exam tip: Link the word to the keyword: Elite = Exclusive = Eminent people, while Mass = Many people. When a question mentions "high social status" or "few privileged members," think elite or cadre party. When it mentions "wide membership" or "all classes," think mass party.