Party Systems

Question 1

What is a party system?

Answer 1

The way or manner in which political parties in the political system are grouped and structured. Examples include one party dominant, two party, two and a half party or multi party systems

Question 2

Give three countries where a one party system is used

Answer 2

China, Cuba and North Korea

Question 3

Outline the features of a one party system in China, Cuba and North Korea

Answer 3

The three main proponents describe themselves as communist states, where the communist party is the only legal party

Question 4

Give a country that can be said to have a dominant party system

Answer 4

Scotland with the SNP

Question 5

Outline the features of the dominant party system in Scotland

Answer 5

The SNP holds nearl all the Scottish UK parliamentary seats and has governed Scotland since 2007, holding substantially more seats than any other party within Scottish parliament

Question 6

Give an example of a country that can be said to possess a two party system

Answer 6

The USA

Question 7

Describe the two party system present in the USA

Answer 7

The Republicans and Democrats hold virtually all of the elected positions at all levels of government within the USA

Question 8

Give an example of a country with a two and a half party system

Answer 8

Canada

Question 9

Describe the two and a half party system in Canada

Answer 9

The Liberal and Conservative parties form the two dominant parties, with the new democratic party emerging as a serious third party

Question 10

Give two examples of countries with a multi party system in place

Answer 10

Italy and Germany

Question 11

Describe the multi-party system present in Italy

Answer 11

It has so many parties that it is remarkably unstable; with governments often collapsing

Question 12

Describe the multi party system present in Germany

Answer 12

Germany has a four party system where the christian democrats and social democrats dominate, but have to form coalition with either the greens or the free democrats. The alternative for Germany party also has 94 seats

Question 13

Describe a one party system

Answer 13

This is where only one party is allowed to operate. It is normally associated with highly authoritarian regimes that we would not consider to be democratic in the generally accepted understanding of the word

Question 14

Describe a dominant-party system

Answer 14

These are democratic systems that allow parties to operate freely, but where only one party has a realistic chance of forming a government. Such systems are highly stable, but this comes at the expense of accountability and competition

Question 15

Describe a two-party system

Answer 15

Only two parties have a realistic chance of forming a government. Implies that two parties win the vast majority of the votes at elections and most of the seats in the representative assemblies of state

Question 16

Describe a two-and-a-half party sytem

Answer 16

These are systems where two main parties contest at elections but there is a sizable third party. Usually, these third parties are seen as holding the balance of power between the two main parties, much like the Lib Dems did in the UK in 2010. Countries like Canada and Australia appear to fit this model. While some see the UK as possessing this kind of system, it is extremely rare that the third party ever becomes a part of government. This means that it isn’t entirely accurate to view the UK in this way, despite the presence of the Lib Dems and now the SNP as sizable third parties

Question 17

Describe a multi-party system

Answer 17

These are becoming increasingly common in Europe. There are several parties competing for votes and power. There is no set number to define a multi-party system, but the key is that more than two parties have a realistic chance of becoming part of the government and governments tend to be made up of coalitions. Although these systems can be alot more fragile than dominant or two party states, there is actually much less volatility as many of the same parties will find themselves in government regularly