Different Party Systems
Political Studies: Edexcel A Level, topic 2.4.1
Dominant- and Single-Party Systems
There are five main types of party systems: the dominant-party system, two-party system, single-party system, two-and-a-half party system and multi-party system.
Dominant-party system
- A dominant-party system is where only one party has a realistic chance of winning political power even though a number of parties stand in the election.
- This could be because of electoral fraud, exploitation of state resources or genuine popularity.
- The African National Congress in South Africa has won every election since 1994, so could be seen as a dominant party.
- In Japan, the Liberal-Democratic Party has been in power almost continually since 1955.
Single-party system
- A single-party system (or one-party state) is a system in which only one party exists and all other parties banned.
- The single party which dominates has complete control over the election and often exists in political systems in which one person rules.
- The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) operates in a single-party system.
- The Lao People's Revolutionary Party in Laos is the only legal political party.
Two-, Two-and-a-Half, and Multi-Party Systems
There are five main types of party systems: the dominant-party system, two-party system, single-party system, two-and-a-half party system and multi-party system.
Two-party systems
- A two-party system is where only two political parties have a chance of success at an election, and so power shifts between those two parties.
- The First Past the Post electoral voting system is more likely to result in a two-party system.
Examples of two-party systems
- The UK has traditionally been dominated by Conservatives and Labour, although smaller parties have become more significant in recent years.
- The United States has a two-party system dominated by Republicans and Democrats.
Two-and-a-half-party systems
- Two main parties exist in the party system, but a third, smaller party challenges the dominance of the two main parties.
- In the 2010-2015 coalition government, the Liberal Democrats could be argued to be the half-party.
- They didn't achieve enough votes to form a majority but could support the Conservatives in a coalition.
Multi-party systems
- A multi-party system is where more than two parties have the possibility of winning an election or of being able to take up a role in power as part of a governing coalition.
- The government in a multi-party system will often be a coalition made up of a number of political parties.
- A multi-party system often is the result of a proportional representation voting system.
Examples of multi-party systems
- Germany is an example of a multi-party system, where coalitions are formed to govern the country.
- Following the 2017 federal election, a coalition was formed between the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union and the Social Democratic Party, governing into the late 2010s and early 2020s
What is the UK's Party System?
The UK has traditionally had a two-party system, but the rise of other parties has led to a case being made that the UK is moving closer to that of a multi-party system.
Dominant party system
- It could be argued that the UK reflected a dominant-party system under the Conservatives from 1979-1997 and under Labour from 1997-2010.
- However, both periods still involved meaningful opposition and electoral competition.
Two-party system
- Only Labour and the Conservatives have a chance of forming a government or being the leading partner within a coalition because of their extensive support.
- They still take a large % of the popular vote in elections.
- Party membership is still the highest.
- Minor parties in UK politics have not been able to maintain much popularity and support, and their success rarely lasts.
- However, in the 2024 General Election, smaller parties increased their vote share and parliamentary presence.
- UKIP’s support has collapsed.
- The Green Party has seen modest parliamentary representation since 2010, including gains in the 2024 election.
Two-and-a-half-party system
- The 2010-2015 period could be argued to be a two-and-a-half-party system, with the Liberal Democrats the 'half' party.
- While the Conservatives had a majority in 2015, they lost it after the 2017 snap election.
- The need to rely on a third party to support the government suggests that the UK may have a two-and-a-half-party system.
- The Liberal Democrats lost 49 seats in the 2015 general election, significantly reducing their parliamentary presence, though they have since partially recovered some influence.
Multiparty system
- There has been support at general elections for minority parties in recent years and a number of parties are seen as important political players.
- In devolved elections, minority parties have had significant success under electoral systems such as proportional representation.
- Other voting systems (such as Alternative Vote) can help elect parties with a more thinly spread support.
- Following the 2024 general election, the UK political system shows greater fragmentation than in previous decades.
2024 general election update
- The Labour Party won a clear majority government, meaning no coalition was required.
- The Conservatives remained the main opposition, but with a significantly reduced position.
- The UK still shows two-party dominance (Labour vs Conservatives).
- However, there is increasing support for minor parties.
- Parties such as the Liberal Democrats, Reform UK, Green Party, and SNP continue to influence politics.
- The system is becoming less purely two-party and more competitive.
Test yourself on Different Party Systems
Dominant-party system
What is NOT an example of a country that currently has a dominant-party system?
Which statements are true about single-party systems?
What kind of party system does Germany have?
Which statements are evidence in support of the UK having a two-party system?