Week 2 - Dominant Party System

Dominant party systems

A political system in which one party remains in control of political power.

Party system

The way in which political parties relate to each other in a political system as a whole.

Two party system

A party system in which two major parties dominate and smaller parties have difficulty gaining representation.

Multi-party systems

A party system in which multiple parties compete for political power.

Electoral autocracy

A system in which elections occur, but the incumbents manipulate the process to ensure their victory.

Hybrid regimes

Political systems that combine elements of both democracy and authoritarianism.

Repression

The act of using force or coercion to suppress opposition or dissent.

Authoritarianism

A system of government characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms.

ANC (African National Congress)

A dominant political party in South Africa that was originally a national liberation movement.

Legitimacy

The belief or acceptance that a government or political system has the right to exercise power.

Opposition party

A political party that is not in power and serves as a check on the ruling party.

Factional politics

Internal divisions and conflicts within a political party.

Consensus-seeking

The process of seeking agreement or common ground among different factions or groups.

Incumbency advantages

The benefits enjoyed by a political party or candidate already in power.

Blurring of party-state boundaries

The merging or overlapping of roles and responsibilities between a political party and the state.

Media interference

The manipulation or control of media outlets by the ruling party to influence public opinion.

Crushing legitimate opposition within party

The suppression or marginalization of dissenting voices or factions within a political party.

Stability

The state of being stable or secure, often associated with a dominant party system.

Internal pluralism

The existence of multiple factions or groups within a political party.

Ethnic politics

The use of ethnic identity or affiliations to gain political support or advantage.

Hard decisions

Difficult or unpopular policy choices that a ruling party may have to make.

Causes of OPD (Overlapping Party and State Domination)

Factors that contribute to the emergence and persistence of dominant party systems.

Hyper-incumbency advantages

The excessive advantages enjoyed by a ruling party due to its control over state resources.

Pork-barrel projects

Government projects or spending that primarily benefit a specific constituency or political party.

Public sector employment

The hiring of individuals by the government to work in public sector jobs.

State resources

The assets, funds, and facilities controlled by the government.

Private funders

Individuals or organizations that provide financial support to political parties.