Dominant-party system explained

Dominant-party system should not be confused with One-party state.

A dominant-party system, or one-party dominant system, is a political occurrence in which a single political party continuously dominates election results over running opposition groups or parties.[1] Any ruling party staying in power for more than one consecutive term may be considered a dominant party (also referred to as a predominant or hegemonic party).[2] Some dominant parties were called the natural governing party, given their length of time in power.[3] [4] [5]

Dominant parties, and their domination of a state, develop out of one-sided electoral and party constellations within a multi-party system (particularly under presidential systems of governance), and as such differ from states under a one-party system, which are intricately organized around a specific party. Sometimes the term "de facto one-party state" is used to describe dominant-party systems which, unlike a one-party system, allows (at least nominally) democratic multiparty elections, but the existing practices or balance of political power effectively prevent the opposition from winning power, thus resembling a one-party state. Dominant-party systems differ from the political dynamics of other dominant multi-party constellations such as consociationalism, grand coalitions and two-party systems, which are characterized and sustained by narrow or balanced competition and cooperation.

In political literature, more than 130 dominant party systems between 1950 and 2017 were included in a list by A. A. Ostroverkhov.[6] For example, in the post-Soviet states, researchers classify parties such as United Russia and Amanat (Kazakhstan) as dominant parties on the basis that these parties have long held the majority of seats in parliament (although they do not directly form the government or appoint officials to government positions).[7] In Russian political science literature, such associations are often called "parties of power".

It is believed that a system with a dominant party can be either authoritarian or democratic. However, since there is no consensus in the global political science community on a set of mandatory features of democracy (for example, there is a point of view according to which the absence of alternation of power is, in principle, incompatible with democratic norms),[8] it is difficult to separate the two types of one-party dominance.[9]

Theory

Dominant-party systems are commonly based on majority rule for proportional representation or majority boosting in semi-proportional representation. Plurality voting systems can result in large majorities for a party with a lower percentage of the vote than in proportional representation systems due to a fractured opposition (resulting in wasted votes and a lower number of parties entering the legislature) and gerrymandering.

Critics of the "dominant party" theory argue that it views the meaning of democracy as given, and that it assumes that only a particular conception of representative democracy (in which different parties alternate frequently in power) is valid.[10] Raymond Suttner, himself a former leader of the African National Congress (ANC), argues that "the dominant party 'system' is deeply flawed as a mode of analysis and lacks explanatory capacity. But it is also a very conservative approach to politics. Its fundamental political assumptions are restricted to one form of democracy, namely electoral politics, and display hostility towards popular politics. This is manifest in the obsession with the quality of electoral opposition, and its sidelining or ignoring of popular political activity organised in other ways. The assumption in this approach is that other forms of organisation and opposition are of limited importance or a separate matter from the consolidation of their version of democracy."[10]

One of the dangers of dominant parties is "the tendency of dominant parties to conflate party and state and to appoint party officials to senior positions irrespective of their having the required qualities."[10] However, in some countries this is common practice even when there is no dominant party.[10] In contrast to one-party systems, dominant-party systems can occur within a context of a democratic system as well as an authoritarian one. In a one-party system other parties are banned, but in dominant-party systems other political parties are tolerated, and (in democratic dominant-party systems) operate without overt legal impediment, but do not have a realistic chance of winning; the dominant party genuinely wins the votes of the vast majority of voters every time (or, in authoritarian systems, claims to). Under authoritarian dominant-party systems, which may be referred to as "electoralism" or "soft authoritarianism", opposition parties are legally allowed to operate, but are too weak or ineffective to seriously challenge power, perhaps through various forms of corruption, constitutional quirks that intentionally undermine the ability for an effective opposition to thrive, institutional and/or organizational conventions that support the status quo, occasional but not omnipresent political repression, or inherent cultural values averse to change.

In some states opposition parties are subject to varying degrees of official harassment and most often deal with restrictions on free speech (such as press laws), lawsuits against the opposition, and rules or electoral systems (such as gerrymandering of electoral districts) designed to put them at a disadvantage. In some cases outright electoral fraud keeps the opposition from power. However, some dominant-party systems occur, at least temporarily, in countries that are widely seen, both by their citizens and outside observers, to be textbook examples of democracy. An example of a genuine democratic dominant-party system would be the pre-Emergency India, which was almost universally viewed by all as being a democratic state, even though the only major national party at that time was the Indian National Congress. The reasons why a dominant-party system may form in such a country are often debated: supporters of the dominant party tend to argue that their party is simply doing a good job in government and the opposition continuously proposes unrealistic or unpopular changes, while supporters of the opposition tend to argue that the electoral system disfavors them (for example because it is based on the principle of first past the post), or that the dominant party receives a disproportionate amount of funding from various sources and is therefore able to mount more persuasive campaigns. In states with ethnic issues, one party may be seen as being the party for an ethnicity or race with the party for the majority ethnic, racial or religious group dominating, e.g., the African National Congress in South Africa (governing since the end of apartheid in 1994) has strong support amongst Bantu peoples of South Africa and the Ulster Unionist Party governed Northern Ireland from its creation in 1921 until 1972 with the support of the Protestant majority. Similarly, the Apartheid-era National Party in South Africa had the support of Afrikaners who make up the majority of White South Africans while English-speaking white South Africans tended towards more liberal and reform-oriented parties like the Progressive Federal Party.

Sub-national entities are often dominated by one party due to the area's demographic being on one end of the spectrum or espousing a unique local identity. For example, the current elected government of the District of Columbia has been governed by Democrats since its creation in the 1970s, Bavaria by the Christian Social Union since 1957, Madeira by the Social Democrats since 1976, and Alberta by the Progressive Conservatives from 1971 to 2015. On the other hand, where the dominant party rules nationally on a genuinely democratic basis, the opposition may be strong in one or more subnational areas, possibly even constituting a dominant party locally; an example is South Africa, where although the African National Congress is dominant at the national level, the opposition Democratic Alliance is strong to dominant in the Province of Western Cape.

Methods of dominant-party governments

In dominant-party governments, they use institutional channels, rather than repression, to influence the population.[11] Coercive distribution can control citizens and economic elites through land reform, poverty alleviation, public health, housing, education, and employment programs.[12] Further, they distribute private goods to the winning coalition (people who are necessary for its reign) in order to stay in power.[13] Giving the winning coalition private goods also prevents civil conflict.[14] They also use the education system to teach and uphold compliance. The recruiting, disciplining, and training of teachers allow for authoritarian governments to control teachers into following their objective: to foster compliance from the youth.[15] Another way that they maintain control is through hosting elections. Even though they would not be fair elections, hosting them allows citizens to feel that they have some control and a political outlet.[16] They can also enhance rule within their own state through international collaboration, by supporting and gaining the support, especially economic support, of other similar governments.[17]

Current dominant-party systems

Africa

Americas

has been dominated by the Brazilian Social Democracy Party since 1994, until election of Tarcísio de Freitas in 2022.

the Workers' Party has won every gubernatorial election since 2006.

Led by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves.

49.6% (lost popular vote) and won 9 of 15 seats.

Asia and Oceania

Eurasia

Europe

Led by Johanna Mikl-Leitner, governor (since 2017); In power since 1945

The Estonian Reform Party has won the last five parliamentary elections in Estonia since 2007. They have held the prime minister's position from 2002 to 2003, from 2005 to 2016 and from 2021 onwards. In power since 1999, with a hiatus from 2016 to 2021.

Formerly dominant parties

North America

Caribbean and Central America

The Antigua Labour Party in Antigua and Barbuda, 1960–1971 and 1976–2004. They are currently ruling, but may not be yet considered dominant.

The Barbados Labour Party in the Barbados from 1994 to 2008.They are currently ruling, but may not be yet considered dominant. The Democratic Labour Party from 1961 to 1976.

The Progressive Liberal Party in the Bahamas from 1967 to 1992

The United Bermuda Party in Bermuda from 1968 to 1998.

The Blue Party from 1879 to 1899. The Dominican Liberation Party from 2004 to 2020.

The Conservative Party in Guatemala from 1851 and 1871; the Liberal Party in Guatemala from 1871 and 1920, 1921 and 1926, 1931 and 1944.

The National Party in Honduras from 1933 to 1956, and again from 2010 to 2022.

The Popular Democratic Party in Puerto Rico from 1949 to 1969.

People's National Movement ruled from 1956 to 1986.

South America

The conservative Liberal Democratic Party ruled the province between 1922 and 1943. The Justicialist Party has won every gubernatorial election between 1973 and 2019.

Neuquén People's Movement has won every gubernatorial election since 1962 and until the 2023 gubernatorial election.

The Justicialist Party has won every gubernatorial election between 1973 and 2019.

Liberal Party ruled from 1899 to 1920. The Revolutionary Nationalist Movement (MNR) in Bolivia from 1952 to 1964.

The National Renewal Alliance Party (ARENA) in Brazil from 1965 to 1979.

From 1829 to 1871, a successive number of parties (Pelucones to Conservative to National Party) governed Chile. From 1990 to 2010 the Concertación Coalition hold presidency.

The Liberal Party of Colombia from 1861 to 1886, and later on from 1886 to 1900 as the brief successor party National Party, and Colombian Conservative Party from 1900 to 1930

Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party ruled from 1895 to 1925. PAIS Alliance ruled from 2007 to 2021.

The People's National Congress from 1964 to 1992. The People's Progressive Party from 1992 to 2015.

The Colorado Party of Paraguay, 1880–1904 and 1948–2008. They were the sole legal party from 1947 to 1962. Liberal Party from 1912 to 1936

The Colorado Party of Uruguay, between 1865 and 1959

Conservative Party ruled from 1830 to 1851. Fifth Republic Movement ruled from 1999 until its merging with the newly created United Socialist Party of Venezuela in 2007, which has been the ruling party since then.

Europe

The Austrian People's Party ruled as the dominant governing coalition leader from 1945 to 1970, and the Social Democratic Party of Austria, under a similar arrangement, from 1970 to 2000.

The Cisleithania Minister-Presidency was dominated by the Constitutional Party from 1871 to 1893.

The Social Democratic Workers' Party of Austria (predecessor of the SPÖ, in power since 1945), dominated Vienna between 1911 and 1934.

The Christian Social Party (predecessor of the ÖVP, in power since 1945), dominated Lower Austria between 1907 and 1934.

The Christian Social Party (predecessor of the ÖVP), dominated Upper Austria between 1907 and 1934.

The Christian Social Party (predecessor of the ÖVP), dominated Vorarlberg between 1907 and 1934.

The Christian Social Party (predecessor of the ÖVP), dominated Tyrol between 1907 and 1934.

The Salzburger Volkspartei, the ÖVP and their predecessors dominated Salzburg between 1919 and 2004.

The Steirische Volkspartei, the ÖVP and their predecessors dominated Styria between 1907 and 2005.

The Catholic Party sent Prime Ministers from 1884 to 1937. The Catholic People's Party sent Prime Ministers from 1979 to 1999.

The Christian Social Party and the Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams dominated Flanders from at least 1968 to 1999.

GERB was the ruling party from 2009 to 2021 (with an exception from 2013 to 2014). It is the biggest Bulgarian party.

The Croatian Democratic Union was in power from the first multi-party elections in 1990, when Croatia was still a constituent republic of SFR Yugoslavia, until it lost the parliamentary and presidential elections in 2000. For most of the 1990s, the party had an absolute majority in both the Chamber of Representatives and the Chamber of Counties, while its chairman, Franjo Tuđman, was President of Croatia under a de facto superpresidential system of government until his death in 1999.

The National Landowners, and later the Højre, ruled Denmark from 1874 to 1901.

The Agrarian League, later the Centre Party, dominated the Presidency under Urho Kekkonen from 1956 to 1982.

During the tenure of Napoleon III (first as president 1848 to 1852 then as Emperor from 1852 to 1870), the Bonapartists were a loose ruling political organization. Since the Fifth Republic, the main presidential parties, Les Républicains (centre-right) or the Parti Socialiste (centre-left), were the biggest parties in over half of the presidential elections, until both parties lost dominance in France since 2017, as centrist politician Emmanuel Macron of En Marche became president, with French right-wing leader Marine Le Pen as the main opponent. Both parties have taken dominance since the 2017 French presidential election.

The Union of Citizens of Georgia was the dominant political force from its establishment in 1995 to its dissolution and overthrow in 2003 in the Rose Revolution, during which the party's leader and President, Eduard Shevardnadze, was ousted.

The Christian Democratic Union ruled West Germany and later a unified Germany from its establishment in 1949 to 1969, and again from 1982 to 1998 and from 2005 to 2021.

The Christian Democratic Union of Germany ruled from 1953 to 2011 and was the biggest party until 2016 (except in Württemberg-Baden for 1950–1952), but is still the biggest party at the German federal elections[37] and European Parliament elections.[38] In the predecessor state of Baden, the Centre Party was the biggest party during the Weimar era until 1930.

The Bavarian Patriot Party (until 1887), the Centre Party (until 1918) and the Bavarian People's Party were the biggest parties in the Bavarian Landtag from 1869[39] to 1933 and ruled from 1920 to 1933.

The Christian Democratic Union of Germany ruled from the return of the Saar to (West) Germany in 1959 to 1980. In the Landtag elections, the CDU reached between 36.6% in 1955 and 49.1% in 1975;[40] the CDU also dominated federal elections (except in 1972),[41] and in the 1979 European Parliament election, the CDU/CSU won 46.4%.[42]

From the establishment of the state, the Christian Democratic Union of Germany ruled without interruption until 2014, with an absolute majority from 1999 to 2009. Since 2014, it has been in opposition.

The Deák Party (which merged with the Left Centre to form the Liberal Party in 1875) ruled Hungary from 1867 to 1905, and the National Party of Work between 1910 and 1918.[43]

The Unity Party and the Party of National Unity (renamed Party of Hungarian Life in 1939) governed the Kingdom of Hungary from 1922 to 1944.

After the elected Prime Minister Ferenc Nagy was forced into exile in May 1947, the Hungarian Communist Party became the Hungary's de facto ruling party until formally declaring the country to be a single-party state in August 1949.[44]

Ireland's Fianna Fáil was the largest party in Dáil Éireann between 1932 and 2011 and in power for 61 of those 79 years. However, the party were heavily defeated in the 2011 Irish general election, coming third.

Italy's Christian Democracy dominated Italian politics for almost 50 years as the major party in every coalition that governed the country from 1944 until its demise amid a welter of corruption allegations in 1992–1994. The main opposition to the Christian democratic governments was the Italian Communist Party.

The Progressive Citizens' Party governed from 1928 to 1970.

The Nationalist Party dominated the Maltese political scene from 1988 to 2013, when the Labour Party won the government in the 2013 general election.

Rally & Issues governed the National Assembly from 1962 to 2003.

The Norwegian Labour Party ruled from 1935 to 1965 (including the 5 years of Government-in-exile during World War II), though it has been the biggest party in Norway since 1927 and has been in power many other times.

The PSOE-A party (the Andalusian branch of nationwide PSOE) was the ruling party in the Andalusian Autonomous Government continuously between 1978 and 2019, being also the most voted party in all elections for the Parliament of Andalusia during that interval, except one (2012). After the 2018 Andalusian election, a right-to-centre coalition led by the People's Party entered office, and in 2022 the People's Party achieved an absolute majority.

The Convergence and Union coalition (federated political party after 2001) in Catalonia governed the autonomous Catalan government from 1980 to 2003, under the leadership of Jordi Pujol, with parliamentary absolute majority or in coalition with other smaller parties. The party later governed again from 2010 until its dissolution in 2015.

The People's Party of the Valencian Community (the Valencian branch of nationwide People's Party) was the ruling party in the Valencian Autonomous Government between 1995 and 2015, being the most voted party in all elections for the Valencian Parliament during that interval. After the 2015 Valencian elections, a left-to-centre coalition entered office.

From 1848 to 1891, the Free Democratic Party held all seven seats of the Federal Council, thus having full control of the Swiss Directorial Government.

The Swedish Social Democratic Party in Sweden governed from 1932 to 2006, except for some months in 1936 (1936–1939 and 1951–1957 in coalition with the Farmers' League, 1939–1945 at the head of a government of national unity), 1976–1982 and 1991–1994. The party is still the largest party in Sweden and has been so in every general election since 1917 (hence the largest party even before the universal suffrage was introduced in 1921). The former Prime Minister and party leader Tage Erlander led the Swedish government for an uninterrupted tenure of 23 years (1946–1969), the longest in any democracy so far. Since 2006, the party support has declined, but in 2014, it returned to government, although its centre-left coalition had no majority.

In Turkey's single-party period lasting until 1945, the Republican People's Party (CHP) was the major political organisation of the single-party state. However, the CHP faced two opposition parties during this period, both established upon the request of the founder of the Republic of Turkey and CHP leader, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, in efforts to allegedly jump-start multiparty democracy in Turkey.[45] The pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party was the dominant party in the mainly Kurdish southeast from 1991 until the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt which resulted in massive purges and the takeover of municipalities by the state. The landslide election victories of the Justice and Development Party led to the party gaining majority in parliament between 2002 and 2018.[46] Since the 2018 parliamentary election, the party has minority in the parliament and is in a coalition.[47]

The Ulster Unionist Party won every election between 1921 and 1972 in the former devolved administration of Northern Ireland.[48]

The Socialist Party of Serbia controlled the country from 1992 to 2000.

Asia

In Afghanistan, the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan was the only legal political party from 1978 until 1987 when other parties were allowed while the PDPA remained the dominant political party until 1992.

In Bangladesh, the Awami League was the country's predominant political party between 1972 and 1975 and from 2009 to present. After the military coup of 1975, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) became the dominant political force between 1977 and 1982. Under the autocratic regime of General Hussain Muhammad Ershad, the Jatiya Party was the dominant party between 1986 and 1990. Bangladesh Awami League again became the dominant political party in 2008 and ended in 2024 after Sheikh Hasina's resignation amid the 2024 Bangladesh protests.

The Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League in Burma (now Myanmar) from 1948 to 1962. The Union Solidarity and Development Party from 2011 to 2016 (as a military junta from 1988 to 2011).

The Democratic Party was the dominant party in Cambodia from 1946 to 1955, The Sangkum in Cambodia was the dominant party under Prince Norodom Sihanouk as head of government from 1955 to 1970. Under the Khmer Republic the Social Republican Party was the dominant party under General Lon Nol from 1972 to 1975.

The Kuomintang established a de facto one-party state in the Republic of China on the mainland and subsequently on Taiwan until political liberalization and the lifting of martial law in the late 1980s. The Kuomintang continued to dominate the political system until the victory of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party in the 2000 presidential election. The Kuomintang maintained control of the Legislative Yuan until 2016.

The Indian National Congress had continuously ruled the parliament of India and various state legislatures since independence in 1947 to 1977 and 1980 to 1989.

The Biju Janata Dal had ruled the state legislature of Odisha for 24 years (winning election for five consecutive times from 2000 to 2011).

The Sikkim Democratic Front had ruled the state legislature of Sikkim for 24 years (winning election for five consecutive times from 1994 to 2019).

The Tripura Left Front, comprising parties such as the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India, All India Forward Bloc and the Revolutionary Socialist Party had ruled the state legislature of Tripura for 24 years (winning election for five consecutive times from 1993 to 2018).

The West Bengal Left Front, comprising parties such as the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Communist Party of India, All India Forward Bloc and the Revolutionary Socialist Party had ruled the state legislature of West Bengal for 34 years (winning election for seven consecutive times from 1977 to 2011).[51]

The Golkar (acronym of Golongan Karya or Functional Groups) organization, in power from 1971 to 1999 in support for President Suharto.

The Iran Novin Party dominated Iran's parliament, cabinet, and local councils from 1964 until Iran became a one-party state in 1975.

Mapai in Israel was the dominant party from the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 (and before 1944 they won the Assembly of Representatives since 1925) until merging into present-day Israeli Labor Party in 1968. The Labor Party started losing influence in the 1970s, particularly following the Yom Kippur War, and eventually lost power in the 1977 election. The Labor Party continued to participate in several coalition governments until 2009.

Conservative parties: Liberal Party (South Korea) in power 1948–1960, Democratic Republican Party (South Korea) in power 1962–1980, Democratic Justice Party in power 1980–1990, Democratic Liberal Party (South Korea) in power 1990–1995, New Korea Party in power 1995–1997 and Saenuri Party in power 2008–2017.

Barisan Nasional (BN), in power from 1974 to 2018, defeated in 2018 election. Also in a coalition government with Perikatan Nasional from 2020 to 2022 in the wake of 2020 Malaysian political crisis, with BN leading from 2021 to 2022. Its predecessor Perikatan also held power from 1955 to 1973. After the 2022 Malaysian general election, despite currently in a coalition government led by Pakatan Harapan, BN is no longer dominant in the Malaysian politics.

Barisan Nasional (and its predecessor Perikatan), in power from 1954 to 2018, defeated in 2018 election. Regained power in the wake of 2020 Malaysian political crisis and won the 2022 Johor state election.

Barisan Nasional (and its predecessor Perikatan), in power from 1955 to 2008, defeated in 2008 election. Regained power in the 2013 state elections, but defeated again in the 2018 election.

Barisan Nasional, in power from 1978, when they won the 1978 state election in Kelantan and governed in a coalition with BERJASA, until 1990, when BN were defeated in that year's election.

Barisan Nasional (and its predecessor Perikatan), in power from 1955 to 2018, defeated in 2018 election. Regained power in the wake of 2020 Malaysian political crisis and won the 2021 Melaka state election.

Barisan Nasional (and its predecessor Perikatan), in power from 1955 to 2018, defeated in 2018 election. Currently BN is in a government coalition led by Pakatan Harapan after the 2023 state election.

Barisan Nasional, in power from 1974 to 2008 under main component party in Penang Gerakan, defeated in 2008 election. Gerakan as a single party also won state election in 1969, winning it from BN predecessor Perikatan, who held power in the state from 1955.

Barisan Nasional, in power from 1974 to 2008, defeated in 2008 election. BN regained power in 2009 as a result of 2009 Perak constitutional crisis, and won the 2013 Perak state election. BN would lose the Perak government again after defeat in the 2018 state election, but regained power in the wake of 2020 Malaysian political crisis. Its predecessor Perikatan also held power from 1955 to 1969. Currently lead a coalition government with Pakatan Harapan after the 2022 Perak state election.

Barisan Nasional (and its predecessor Perikatan), in power from 1955 to 2022, defeated in 2022 election.[52]

Barisan Nasional, in power from 1976 to 1985 (led by component party BERJAYA), 1986 to 1990 (led by component party PBS), and from 1994 to 2018 (led by component party UMNO Sabah). Currently BN is in a coalition government with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), after the 2020 Sabah state election. PBS also led the state government as a single party from 1985 to 1986, and as part of Gagasan Rakyat coalition from 1990 to 1994. Before BN, Perikatan Sabah (Sabah Alliance) holds power in Sabah from its independence in 1963 to 1976.

Barisan Nasional, in power from 1974 to 2008, defeated in 2008 election. Its predecessor Perikatan also held power from 1955 to 1969.

Barisan Nasional (and its predecessor Perikatan), in power from 1955 to 2018, with exception to 1959–1961 and 1999–2004, when the state government were controlled by Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS). Defeated in the 2018 election.

The National Unity Party governed from 1983 to 2005.

The Nacionalista Party in the Philippines was the dominant party during various times in the nation's history from 1916–1941, and on 1945. From 1978 to 1986 Kilusang Bagong Lipunan operated as a dominant party.

The United National Party from 1977 to 1994, and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party from 1994 to 2015 (except for a brief interregnum from 2001 to 2004).

The Thai Rak Thai Party was the first political party to surpass the majority in the House of Representatives. During the general election, it became a dominant party until a coup d'état ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the dissolution of the House in 2006.

General People's Congress, In power effectively from 1982 (1982–1990 sole legal party) to 2015, ceded effective control after Houthi takeover of Sana'a.

Africa

The National Liberation Front had governed Algeria from 1962 to 1992, from 1992 to 1994 (sole legal party 1962 to 1989), and from 1999 to 2019. The current president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, is affiliated with FLN, but its partisan power is significantly weakened after the 2021 parliamentary elections.

The Congress for Democracy and Progress from 1996 to 2014, under Blaise Compaoré, who ruled first as an independent after a coup from 1987 to 1989, then leads Organization for Popular Democracy – Labour Movement from 1989 to 1996.

Union for National Progress (UPRONA) from 1962 to 1993 (from 1974 to 1992 as sole legal party).

the Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa ruled from 1960 to 1981 (from 1962 to 1980 as sole legal party).

Patriotic Salvation Movement (Mouvement Patriotique de Salut de SMPS) governed from 1990 to 2021.

The National Democratic Party (NDP) of Egypt, under various names, from 1952 to 2011 (as Arab Socialist Union, sole legal party 1953–1978)

The People's Progressive Party in The Gambia from 1962 to 1994. The Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction under Yahya Jammeh from 1996 to 2017, with Jammeh ruling first under a Junta after a coup from 1994 to 1996.

African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) governed from 1974 to 1999 (from 1974 to 1991 as the sole legal party).

Democratic Party of Ivory Coast governed from 1960 to 1999 (from 1960 to 1990 as the sole legal party).

The Kenya African National Union in Kenya from 1963 to 2002 (sole legal party 1982–1991).

True Whig Party ruled consecutively from 1878 to 1980, in a de facto one-party state manner, though the country never explicitly banned opposition parties.

People's Democratic Party (PDP) was in power from May 29, 1999, till May 29, 2015, when the opposition party All Progressives Congress (APC) won the presidential election in 2015.

The Rhodesian Front in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), under the leadership of Ian Smith, from 1965 to 1980.

The Socialist Party in Senegal from 1960 to 2000 (sole legal party 1966–1974).

United Seychelles Party ruled from 1977 to 2020 (from 1977 to 1991 as sole legal party).

The All People's Congress Party ruled from 1968 to 1992 (from 1978 to 1991 as sole legal party).

National Congress from 1998 to 2019 (1998 to 2005 as sole legal party).

Via Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) from 1961 with TANU name to present in 2024 no any other Political party have ever lead the country.

The Democratic Constitutional Rally in Tunisia, 1956–2011 (as the sole legal party between 1963 and 1981).

The Movement for Multiparty Democracy from 1991 to 2011.

Oceania

The Liberal Party (generally in a near-permanent Coalition with the National Party) held power federally from 1949 to 1972 and from 1975 to 1983 (31 out of 34 years). After the expiry of the 46th Parliament in 2022, the Liberal-National Coalition held power for 20 out of the 26 years between 1996 and 2022. Overall from 1949 to 2022, the Liberal Party held power for 52 out of 73 years. The longest-serving Prime Minister was Robert Menzies, who served from 1939 to 1941 (2 years) as a member of the United Australia Party, and from 1949 to 1966 (16 years) as leader of the Liberal Party.

The Country Liberal Party held power from the granting of self-government in 1978 to 2001 (23 years).

The Labor Party held power from 1941 to 1965 (24 years), and from 1976 to 1988 and 1995 to 2011 (28 out of 35 years) – in total 52 out of 70 years from 1941 to 2011.

The Labor Party held power from 1915 to 1929 and from 1932 to 1957 (39 out of 42 years). The National Party then held power from 1957 to 1989 (32 years) with and without the Liberal Party. These were facilitated by a Labor-designed malapportionment that favoured rural districts. The National Party under Joh Bjelke-Petersen increased the malapportionment with the Bjelkemander, allowing them to rule alone without the Liberals, and used the police to suppress dissent and opposition from Labor. The National Party dominance was ended by a corruption inquiry, Bjelke-Petersen was forced to resign in disgrace, and police and politicians were charged with crimes. Since 1989, Labor has held government aside from a National Party government (1996 to 1998) and Liberal-National Party government (2012 to 2015) (28 years of Labor government out of 33 years).

The Liberal and Country League held power from 1933 to 1965 (32 years). The Labor Party held power from 1970 to 1979, from 1982 to 1993 and from 2002 to 2018 (26 out of 38 years).

The Labor Party held power from 1934 to 1969 and from 1972 to 1982 (45 out of 48 years), from 1989 to 1992, and from 1998 to 2014 (16 years) – in total 64 out of 80 years from 1934 to 2014.

The National Citizens' Reform League (1902–1909), the Deakinite Liberal Party (1909–1917) and the Nationalist Party (1917–1924) consecutively held power from 1902 to 1924 (22 years). The Country Party then ruled from 1924 to 1927 (3 years), followed by the Nationalist Party from 1928 to 1929 (1 year) in a coalition. The Country Party and the United Australia Party (later as the Liberal and Country Party) held power with and without a coalition from 1932 to 1945 (13 years) and 1947 to 1952 (5 years). The Liberal Party then held power from 1955 to 1982 (27 years). In total, centre-right governments ruled 71 out of 80 years from 1902 to 1982.

The Liberal Party held power from 1947 to 1983 with two one-term interruptions between 1953 and 1956 and 1971 to 1974 (30 out of 36 years).

The Labor Party has held power since 2001 (in coalition with the ACT Greens since 2012), previously holding government between 1989 and 1995 (24 years out of 30 years since self-government).

The Liberal Party governed from 1891 to 1912.

The Human Rights Protection Party governed from 1982 to 2021.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Ostroverkhov. A. A.. 2017. In Searching for Theory of One-Party Dominance: World Experience of Studying Dominant-Party Systems (II). Politeia. 87. 4. 133–149 (p. 136). 10.30570/2078-5089-2017-87-4-133-149. free.
  2. Ostroverkhov. A. A.. 2017. In Searching for Theory of One-Party Dominance: World Experience of Studying Dominant-Party Systems (I). Politeia. 86. 3. 136–153 (p. 148). 10.30570/2078-5089-2017-86-3-136-153. free.
  3. Web site: Natural Governing Party. The Dictionary of Canadian Politics. Campbell Strategies. 2022. 5 December 2022.
  4. Book: 9780307743879. 2017. 338. Knopf Doubleday. Hoover: An Extraordinary Life in Extraordinary Times. The Republicans had come to see themselves as the natural governing party of the United States. Leaving aside the Cleveland and Wilson accidents, they had been in power since Grant's day. If Republican delegates declared an uncharismatic Hoover worthy of the presidency, voters were unlikely to argue. . The Wonder Boy.
  5. Web site: UMNO intends to return as Malaysia's natural governing party. Nikkei. 5 December 2022. 15 November 2022. Chin. James.
  6. В поисках теории однопартийного господства: мировой опыт изучения систем с доминантной партией (II) . Ostroverkhov . A. A. . In search of a theory of one-party domination: world experience in studying systems with a dominant party (II) . 2017 . ru . Politeia . 4 . 87 . 2020-02-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200208002311/http://politeia.ru/files/articles/rus/Politeia-2017-4(87)-133-149.pdf.
  7. Isaacs . R. . Whitmore . S. . The Limited Agency and Life-Cycles of Personalized Dominant Parties in Post-Soviet Space: The Case of United Russia and Nur Otan . 2013 . Democratization . 4 . 21.
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  9. В поисках теории однопартийного господства: мировой опыт изучения систем с доминантной партией (II) . Ostroverkhov . A. A. . In search of a theory of one-party domination: world experience in studying systems with a dominant party (II). 2017 . Politeia . 4 . 87 . 134 . 2020-02-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200208002311/http://politeia.ru/files/articles/rus/Politeia-2017-4(87)-133-149.pdf.
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  24. The state's first PAN governor, Carlos Medina Plascencia, took office on an interim basis without going to the polls.
  25. Vicente Fox was the first democratically elected PAN governor of the state.
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  30. https://dfwatch.net/understand-georgias-constitutional-reforms-look-beyond-president-48381 To Understand Georgia's Constitutional Reforms, Look Beyond the President
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