Meaning of one-party system (what is it, concept and definition)

What is One-Party:

One-party refers to the political system in which a single party can be elected, either because only one party can attend the elections or because a single party among several concentrates the opportunities and advantages.

One-party can be established de facto or through the enactment of laws that legitimize it. Thus, one-party systems easily lead to open dictatorships.

Unlike a classic dictatorship, one-party regimes call elections in order to demonstrate their legitimacy. Therefore, in these scenarios, free elections do not prove the existence of democracy.

In one-party models, it is not always necessary to outlaw opposition political parties in this system. It may be sufficient to control the institutions, opportunities and advantages of the political order in order to guarantee the continuity of the single party.

One-party systems are tolerant with a certain level of opposition, since their presence is necessary to create the illusion of plurality, legitimacy and democracy.

Characteristics of one-party

Among the main characteristics of one-party, we can mention the following:

• It denies or impedes the right to political alternation characteristic of democracy. It concentrates power. It controls electoral processes. It arbitrarily interprets democratic laws and principles.

Types of one-party

According to the dominant ideology, different types of one-party regimes have occurred throughout history:

Fascist one-party

In fascism, one-party implies the progressive elimination of all kinds of opposition until the elections are eradicated. Examples: National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi) or Italian Fascist Party.

Nationalist one-party

Typical of the nations that have recently conquered their independence. Corresponds to periods of transition and consolidation of power. Under historical conditions, the single party can be perpetuated over time and lead to a dictatorship. Example: Eritrea and Iraq.

Marxist-Leninist one-party

In this model, elections are normally held to sustain the democratic reputation of the government. However, there are no real options to choose a different party. Only the ruling party can win. Examples: Cuba, North Korea or China.

One-party by dominance

In this model, a single party concentrates the opportunities to win the elections, even in the context of a non-authoritarian democratic order. Example: government of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) in Mexico, which ruled continuously for decades.

See also:

• Political party.Bipartisanism.