One-party system
Also called: Single-party system · Topic: Political Parties, Party Systems and Anti-defection · NCERT: Class 9, Ch 7 "Elections"; Class 10, Ch 4 "Political Parties"
Meaning
A one-party system is one in which only one party is allowed to control and run the government. Other parties are banned or cannot compete freely for power. It is not a democratic option, because democracy needs free competition for power and a real choice for voters.
Example
In China, only the Communist Party is allowed to rule. Elections there do not give voters a free choice between rival parties.
Don't confuse with
- Dominance of one party in a multi-party system: in India from 1952 to 1967 the Congress won most elections. Other parties were still free to contest, and the Congress lost power in nine states in 1967. That was dominance won at the ballot box, not a one-party system.