Why is it a goal of political parties to get as many candidates elected into government positions?

As the electorate expanded, the political parties evolved to mobilize the growing mass of voters as the means of political control.  In recent decades, increasing numbers of individual voters classify themselves as “independent,” and they are permitted to register to vote as such in many states.

Explanation:

b) to encourage free trade

mali had been a state inside of the ghanaian empire. after ghana fell because of invading forces and internal disputes, mali rose to greatness under the leadership of a legendary king named sundiata, the "lion king." the songhai empire, already weakened by internal political struggles, went into decline.