In this article you will learn about One Party System in Political Science.
One Party System
One Party System, also known as single party system, is a system in which the political power is wielded by one political party which is continuously in power. During an election, in each constituency this one party or single party fields several of its own candidates out of which one candidate is elected by the people as their representative. Other political parties can exist only with the consent of this party. Opposition is considered useless and harmful as the policies and programmes of the single party are considered to be the best national policies and programmes. The power-wielding party can, at will, tolerate some criticism or opposition otherwise dissent and criticism are considered subversive activities. However, with the consent of an important ruling party, some small parties can be organised by the people.
One/Single party system is characterised by the party in power either dominating all other groups, trying to absorb the political opposition, or in the extreme case suppressing all opposition groups which are regarded as counter-revolutionary or subversives of the regime or as forces dividing the national will. In case the party allows no other party or group to live or act in opposition, it is called totalitarian single party system.
A communist state always works with a one party system and similar is the case of each totalitarian state.
Merits of One Party System
1. Little Scope for Aggressive Party Policies : One Party System is free from aggressive party politics. The single party is all powerful. It faces little political challenge because there is no other political party to oppose it.
2. Strong Government : One Party System results in the organisation of a strong government. The government can take all decisions without any major limitation. It is always backed by strong party support.
3. Political Stability and Continuity : A single party system means a continuous use of power by the party. It leads to political stability and continuity. The political system remains free from a frequent change of rules.
4. Strong Policies and More Progress : Presence of a single party and a stable government acts as a source for good development. It can adopt strong development policies and implement these in a strong way. All this leads to rapid progress and development.
5. More Suitable for Meeting Emergencies : A single party system means a very strong and stable government. Such a government is always in a position to meet all emergencies by taking quick decisions and implementing these in a strong way.
6. Responsibility can be easily fixed : In case of any failure on the part of the government, it is always easy to fix responsibility. The single ruling party has to own each responsibility. It has no one else to put the blame.
7. Helpful in Nation-building : A single party system means strong and stable government, strong and continuous policies and rapid meeting of all problems and emergencies. All this helps in the process of nation-building.
8. Easy choice for the Voters : In elections, the single party fields its several candidates from each constituency. This enables the people to vote on the basis of the abilities of the candidates. It is very easy for them to make their choices.
All these are the merits of a single party system. The working of the political system of China reflects all these merits.
Demerits of One Party System
1. Always Undemocratic
2. Authoritarian in Nature
3. Unreal Elections
4. Less Political Participation of the People
5. Little scope for the Representation of all interests and groups of the people
6. Less Political Education for the People
7. People get no real opportunity for a change of government
8. Not a Natural System
9. Fear of Revolution
10. Dangerous and Harmful
Thus, there are several demerits of the single party system. It is indeed an undemocratic system in its organisation and working. It is present only in totalitarian and authoritarian political systems. It is not at all suitable for a democratic political system. Each democratic state has either a multi-party system or a bi-party system. It can never work with a single party system. China is indeed not a democratic state. By all standards, China has an authoritarian political system.
Single party system is regarded as the worst type of party system because it works as an undemocratic system.
This article on One Party System in Political Science is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.