Single vs Multi-Party System

This essay provides a comparative analysis of single-party and multi-party political systems. It examines the advantages and disadvantages of each system, including their impact on freedom of expression, governance, and the guarantee of freedom of movement. The essay uses examples from different countries, such as Uganda under Idi Amin's dictatorship (a single-party system) and India (a multi-party system) during the same period (1971-1979), to illustrate the contrasting effects on citizens' rights and freedoms. The analysis highlights the challenges faced by both systems, such as maintaining stability in multi-party systems and addressing the lack of freedom of expression in single-party systems. The conclusion emphasizes the multi-party system's greater capacity to ensure freedom of movement and represent diverse interests, contrasting it with the limitations and potential for abuse inherent in single-party systems.

Running Head: SINGLE VS MULTI PARTY SYSTEM
Single vs. multi-party system
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Coursework: Single vs. multi-party system
August 13th, 2016

SINGLE VS MULTI PARTY SYSTEM
Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Benefits of single party system........................................................................................................2
Challenges faced by single party system.........................................................................................3
Benefits of Multi-party system........................................................................................................4
Challenges faced by Multi-party system.........................................................................................4
Guaranteeing freedom of movement...............................................................................................5
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................6
References........................................................................................................................................7
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Introduction
In this present paper, we will try to distinguish between a single party system and a multi-party
system. The benefits and challenges faced by both the parties. The paper also analyzes that
which party is better at guaranteeing freedom of movement by explaining with an example of
different countries.
The single party system is defined as a system in which one political party has the right and
obligation to form a government and rest of the parties has limited control over the participation
in elections. The one party argues that existence of single party runs counter to national unity. A
multi-party system is defined as a single which consists of multiple political parties. All the
parties have equal rights and run for national elections. The multi-party system is mainly used in
parliament system. It is used by the countries used proportional representation as compare to the
countries that are using first past the post elections.
Benefits of single party system
The single party system is also known as dominant party system. The concept of representative
democracy is valid. It is a very conservative approach to politics. There are many benefits of
single party system which includes that the rules and regulations made by a single party are
implemented into law without any disruptions from the acceptance and rejection of law by the
citizens. The party can change the public opinion to manipulate the media and education system
to promote the idea consistent with the single party doctrine (Gill et al, 1994). The ruling party
has no competitors so they can focus on ideas generation according to their opinions. The ideas
can be implemented easily because of less competition and the new competing party can be
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made easily by the dominant party. The politicians who are connected with dominant party
system they can easily create their wealth and they can get the superior power which can’t be
accessed by a citizen of a country. The dominant party rules for longer time because elections
can be easily won by the dominant party through compete the other party or by banning the
competitor party outright. The dictator can easily get selected in a single party system because
the powers are controlled by a dominant party. The amendments in the constitution and law can
be easily made so the powers of supreme leaders are absolute (Katz et al, 1995).
Challenges faced by single party system
The challenges faced by a single-party system include the formation of government according to
the constitution. The freedom of expression is not presented in a single party system. The
democracy is eroded, and the dictatorship is emerged which is a challenge for a single party
system. The different classes and interest has no regard in this system due to which the public
opinions are not included into the single party system. The social freedoms are crushed due to
which the citizens are not able to enjoy the freedom and the development of individual
personality is hindered (Abedi et al, 2002). The government and administration become absolute
due to which the system become irresponsible and to handle the system it become a challenge
which is faced by a single party system. The system is overbearing influenced by terrorism and
the opponents are crushed with the high officials to stop the influence of terrorism is a major
challenge for the single party system because it leads to increase the corruption in the country
which need to be corrected by taking certain measures by the system. The honor and position
maintained by a dictator through military preparations is a challenge for a single party system.
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Polices adopt by a single party system involves policy of war and victory which is harmful for a
country and to maintain the policy accordingly is a major challenge for a country.
Benefits of Multi-party system
The benefits of multi-party system involve encouragement of high voter turnout which is directly
chosen by other parties. The multi-party system creates a greater transparency in governance.
The system also fall prey to party manipulations and political agendas of diverse groups. It
encourages the participation of politics, social and ethical groups which helps to govern and
legitimate rightfully. It also helps to gain experience into the governance, legislation and
administration (Müller et al, 2010). The multi-party system also helps in creating the feeling of
unity by following different political ideologies which helps in creating the dominant ideology.
The system helps in gaining the control of government offices. The system allows voting each
citizen of a country according to their choices and believes. The system mainly works according
to the public opinion and it caters the citizens with extreme view. The policies and regulations
can be change according the public opinion. It also restricts the leadership of one party. The
voting power of an individual helps to change the political party. The multi-party system can
represent a multi-culture, multi ethics, and different languages spoken in a country. The different
takes can be made on different issues. The multi-party system also helps to avoid violence which
can plague nondemocratic countries. The system also concern for the issues of citizens, mainly
for the marginalized group which helps to build the bridge between the citizens and government.
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Challenges faced by Multi-party system
The local council lacked inconsistent rules and regulations in multi-party system. The challenge
includes resolving the problem of one culprit who is disrupting the quilting of democracy. To
manage the different political parties and resolving the problems of citizens is a challenge which
is faced by multi-party system. The stability of democracy is another challenge faced by multi-
party system. The implementation of purer presidential is difficult because the multi-party
political system is very complex (Blondel et al, 1968). The factors which affects the instability
and vulnerability of a government has to be managed which are a major challenge for the multi-
party system. The reshuffling of cabinet and its formation is a big challenge for a multi-party
system.
Guaranteeing freedom of movement
The freedom of movement is a human right which encompasses the right of individual to move
from one place to another. The single party system has no guaranteeing freedom of movement
for example in Uganda was having civilian killings and other human rights abuses at the period
of 1971-1979, there were thousands of killings and others subjected to arbitrary arrest, torture,
beating and other abuses. The single party system exploit the human rights which includes right
of freedom in which the citizen has no rights whereas in the same period of time India was
having multi-party system in which the citizens of India was getting their fundamental rights and
duties. The citizens have rights to choose their political party and the party listen public opinions.
The amendments in the rules and regulations can be done according to the public choice. India is
having a federal parliamentary democratic public which is mainly work for the welfare of the
people and with the choice of people. The citizens of India is enjoying their rights and duties to
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choose their political party which includes the guaranteeing of freedom of movement, the
citizens can easily move from one country to another or within the boundaries of a country
(Gross et al, 1984). At the time of Idi Amin dictatorship the citizens of Uganda were not
supposed to move within the regional boundaries of a country. The multi-party system in India at
the same period 1971-1979 gives full rights to their citizens. The people have a freedom to form
the political parties according to their beliefs, religion caste, commodity and others. The multi-
party system offers full opportunities to the citizens and the rights of voting to select their
political parties.
Conclusion
The single party system is a system in which a single party rules and its benefits include no
intervention of any other party in making rules and regulations. The public opinion can be
change through education and media. The ruling party has no competitors so they can make the
laws according to their own convenience. The challenges include absence of freedom of
expression. The management of government is also difficult because the government and
administration is absolute. The multi-party system involves the involvement of multiple political
parties. The benefits involve contribution of public opinion in choosing the political party. The
rules and regulations can be amended according to the public convenience. The challenges
involve managing all the political parties. Another challenge is to manage the factors which
affect the instability and vulnerability of a government. The freedom of movement is guaranteed
by multi-party system in India which is compared by the single-party system in Uganda in the
period of 1971-79 which shows that the single party system is not guaranteeing the freedom of
movement whereas the multi-party system in India is guaranteeing the freedom of movement.
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References
Abedi, A. (2002). Challenges to established parties: The effects of party system features on the
electoral fortunes of anti‐political‐establishment parties. European Journal of Political Research,
41(4), 551-583.
Blondel, J. (1968). Party systems and patterns of government in Western democracies. Canadian
Journal of Political Science, 1(02), 180-203.
Gill, G. (1994). The collapse of a single-party system: the disintegration of the communist party
of the Soviet Union (Vol. 94). Cambridge University Press.
Gross, D. A., & Sigelman, L. (1984). Comparing party systems: A multidimensional approach.
Comparative Politics, 16(4), 463-479.
Katz, R. S., & Mair, P. (1995). Changing models of party organization and party democracy the
emergence of the cartel party. Party politics, 1(1), 5-28.
Müller, W. C., & Meyer, T. M. (2010). Meeting the challenges of representation and
accountability in multi-party governments. West European Politics, 33(5), 1065-1092.
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