Welcome to Political Party Systems!
In the previous chapters, we looked at how elections are run. Now, we are going to look at the groups that actually run in those elections: political parties. Think of a political party system as the "menu" of choices available to citizens. In some countries, the menu has only one item; in others, it is a massive buffet. This chapter will help you understand why these systems look different across our six course countries and how they impact who holds power.
1. Three Main Types of Party Systems
Political scientists generally categorize party systems based on how many parties have a realistic chance of winning power and how much competition is allowed. Don't worry if these overlap slightly—the key is looking at who actually holds the reins of government.
One-Party Systems
In a one-party system, only one political party has the right to form the government. Other parties might exist in a very limited way, but they have no real path to power. The party and the state are often intertwined.
- Example: China. The Communist Party of China (CPC) maintains total control over transitions of power and governing institutions. It is a party-controlled legislative system.
Dominant-Party Systems
In a dominant-party system, multiple parties are allowed to compete in elections, but one single party consistently wins and dominates the political landscape. While it looks like a competition, the playing field is often tilted in favor of the party in power.
- Example: Russia. Russia is described as a dominant-party system where one party dominates. The government has also increased party registration requirements to make it harder for new parties to compete.
- Historical Example: Mexico. For many years, Mexico was dominated by the PRI before transitioning into a more competitive system.
Multiparty Systems
In a multiparty system, three or more parties have a significant impact on the political process and a realistic chance of winning or sharing power.
- Example: The United Kingdom. While two parties often lead, it is a multiparty system where the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons becomes the Prime Minister.
- Example: Nigeria. Nigeria has a multiparty system with two strong parties—the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC)—along with a third party that has seen some success.
- Example: Mexico. Mexico has successfully transitioned to a multiparty system featuring the PRI, PAN, and PRD.
Quick Review: The main difference between a dominant-party system and a one-party system is that dominant systems allow other parties to run, even if they rarely win. One-party systems legally or practically ban real opposition.
2. Country Deep Dives: Party Power and Competition
The AP exam will expect you to know how these systems work in our specific course countries. Here is the breakdown of how parties function in each.
China: Party Control
In China, the Communist Party of China is the "nerve center" of the country. It controls the National People's Congress and the Politburo Standing Committee. If you want to be a leader in China, you must rise through the ranks of the party. There is no competition between parties here; the party is the system.
Iran: The Exception
Iran is unique because it has an absence of formal political party structures. Instead of parties, politics often revolves around fluid factions. However, there is still a "gatekeeper": the Guardian Council. They vet all candidates for office and frequently exclude reform-minded individuals from even running.
Russia: Dominance and Rules
In Russia, while elections happen, the dominant-party system ensures that one party stays in control. The state has used increased party registration requirements to limit the number of groups that can challenge the status quo. This limits the degree of party competition significantly.
Mexico: The Great Transition
Mexico is a classic case of democratization. It moved away from the single-party dominance of the PRI and is now a competitive multiparty system. This transition was marked by the rise of other parties like the PAN and PRD, providing voters with genuine choices at the ballot box.
Nigeria: Parties and Identity
Nigeria uses its party system to help manage its diverse population. To ensure parties aren't just representing one ethnic group, there are ethnic quotas and requirements for party registration. Presidential candidates must also show they have broad support across Nigeria's 36 states, which forces parties to be more national in scope.
United Kingdom: Parliamentary Strength
In the UK, parties are very strong because of the parliamentary system. The executive (the Prime Minister) is not elected separately by the people, but is the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons. This means party loyalty is essential for the government to function.
3. Key Factors Influencing Party Systems
Why does one country have two parties while another has ten? It often comes down to the rules of the game (which we touched on in Chapter 4.1).
- Rules of the Game: Single-member district/plurality rules often lead to fewer parties, while proportional representation can lead to more (multiparty systems).
- Vetting: In some countries like Iran, candidates are "vetted" (screened) by religious authorities, which limits who can participate.
- Registration Requirements: In Russia and Nigeria, the government sets rules on how a party must be formed. If these rules are strict, it limits competition.
Summary & Key Takeaways
Key Terms to Remember:
• One-party system: Total control by one group (China).
• Dominant-party system: One party usually wins, but others exist (Russia).
• Multiparty system: Multiple parties compete and win (UK, Nigeria, Mexico).
• Vetting: The process of screening candidates (especially important in Iran).
Quick Tip for the Exam: If a question asks about "party competition," think about how easy it is for an opposition party to actually take power. In the UK and Mexico, it's very possible. In Russia, it's very difficult. In China, it's effectively impossible.