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| Basic course 4: What are the characteristics of a party system?Until now we have been concerning ourselves with what a party is (basic course 1), what types of parties exist (basic course 2) and what function parties perform in the political system (basic course 3). We have implied all along that several parties exist and that there is a party system. Indeed, all our definitions, typologies and descriptions about function only make sense set against the existence of such a system. The types of parties described so far in the Main Subject Group of Parties can only exist in pluralistic, free and democratic societies. The "ruling parties" that exist in dictatorships or Marxist-Leninist parties that exist in socialist states are based on a totally different model. These parties are not 'single' parties competing against others in a party system (a comparison between the way in which liberal-democratic and socialist parties are understood is available as part of basic course 2: to the text defining a "socialist party").The following text attempts to define the term 'party system':
To talk about parties only actually makes sense when they are active within a system containing other competing parties. Where one has a monopoly on shaping the political will or where only one party exists there is a complete lack of competition. A one-party system, therefore, is a contradiction in terms. Political science usually distinguishes between two-party and a multiparty systems. Two-party system does not mean that only two parties exist; it simply means that other parties play only a minor role or no role at all in the formation of the government and the functions performed by the opposition. Whether or not a two-party or multiparty system establishes itself in a given nation depends on traditional, socio-cultural, institutional, socio-economic and confessional circumstances. Generally speaking less homogenous social structures and a system of proportional representation tend to promote the development of multiparty or even numerous-party systems. The two-party system can be regarded more as a "competitive system", the multiparty system in contrast as a "concordance system". In a competitive system (such as the one in Great Britain) the principle of "majority rule" dominates, in a "concordance system" (such as the one in Switzerland) the decision-making process takes into account a number of differing interests, meaning that minorities do not become majorities. [Taken and translated from: Uwe Backes/Eckhard Jesse; aus: Informationen zur politischen Bildung 207, Parteiendemokratie, BpB 1996]
The illustration below outlines the factors important for the development of a party system:
Since it is impossible to provide a generalized analysis of party systems, we will be taking a look at the party systems of two individual states. To do this we have chosen two party systems that when taken together illustrate the widest spectrum of differing aspects. The systems in Great Britain and the United States represent a parliamentary system and a presidential system respectively: [Background information on the differing kinds of democracy, on the parliamentary and presidential systems of government is also available as part of the Main Subject Group of Democracy - for quick access simply click on the Democracy link at the bottom of the page]
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Subjects: Human
Rights I Democracy I Parties
I Examples I
Europe
I
Globalisation
I United Nations
I Sustainability
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