Ever since the beginning of Print, artists haven't seized trying to expose politics for what it's worth.
Publisher: J. Aitken (1789)
[80] We must remember that the political system in Lilliput, at that time at least, was not like ours today.
The reference to ‘Parties’ should be compared to the concept of ‘Parties’ in English politics as it was until the mid-19th century.
At that time ordinary people were ruled by the Royalty, which was aided by two groups of people, calling themselves the Whig Party and the Tory Party. Indeed, the one thing over which they were unanimous was the fact that they could party, while the ordinary people had to work, and work hard.
The aristocratic dynasties formed the Whigs (and later were forced to accept into their folds the emerging industrial interests and wealthy merchants.)
The Tories were the landed gentry.
They also had their religious affiliations, since the Church was essential in keeping the ignorant population ignorant and obedient.
Women were of course at the bottom of this political power food chain.