Political Parties and Political Parties and Electoral SystemsElectoral Systems

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Political Parties and Political Parties and Party SystemsParty Systems

► The Value of Political Parties – The Value of Political Parties – Parties “create democracy” and propose Parties “create democracy” and propose new policies. Parties serve voters by providing accountability and new policies. Parties serve voters by providing accountability and simplifying the decision making process and by bringing together simplifying the decision making process and by bringing together politicians who share roughly similar views.politicians who share roughly similar views.

► Party Identification – Party Identification – This is defined as the attachment that individuals This is defined as the attachment that individuals have to specific political parties. The less people identify with parties, have to specific political parties. The less people identify with parties, the more fluid are elections results and changes in the party system.the more fluid are elections results and changes in the party system.

► Party SystemsParty Systems One-party systems – Single party control (China, North Korea)One-party systems – Single party control (China, North Korea) One-party dominant systems – hegemonic control (Mexico)One-party dominant systems – hegemonic control (Mexico) Two-party systems – Two parties compete with one another for control of the Two-party systems – Two parties compete with one another for control of the

government. (United States of America)government. (United States of America) Two-and-a-half party systems – A third party receives a sizable percentage in Two-and-a-half party systems – A third party receives a sizable percentage in

the national vote, but one of the two larger parties usually wins. (United the national vote, but one of the two larger parties usually wins. (United Kingdom)Kingdom)

Multiparty systems – Systems have more than three significant parties. Multiparty systems – Systems have more than three significant parties. Although two larger parties may exist, they are far from dominant. These Although two larger parties may exist, they are far from dominant. These typically result in coalition governments (Germany)typically result in coalition governments (Germany)

Political Parties and Political Parties and Party SystemsParty Systems

►Advantages of a Large Number of Advantages of a Large Number of Major Political PartiesMajor Political Parties Better representation of citizen interestsBetter representation of citizen interests Better representation of minority interestsBetter representation of minority interests

►Disadvantages of a Large Number of Disadvantages of a Large Number of Major Political PartiesMajor Political Parties Political instability due to fragile coalitionsPolitical instability due to fragile coalitions Undue influence of small and extreme partiesUndue influence of small and extreme parties Difficulty in holding political parties Difficulty in holding political parties

accountableaccountable

Fig. 10.1 Political Party SystemsFig. 10.1 Political Party Systems

Topic in CountriesTopic in Countries ►Political Parties in Iran, China, the Political Parties in Iran, China, the

Russian Federation, and NigeriaRussian Federation, and Nigeria Iran:Iran: A few main political parties after 1979 A few main political parties after 1979

Revolution; parties later replaced by loose Revolution; parties later replaced by loose electoral coalitions; today, a “no party system”electoral coalitions; today, a “no party system”

China:China: Classic one-party system; CCP Classic one-party system; CCP continues to dominate Chinese politicscontinues to dominate Chinese politics

Russia:Russia: Weak party system after collapse of Weak party system after collapse of USSR; turned into one-party dominant system USSR; turned into one-party dominant system under Putin and United Russia.under Putin and United Russia.

Nigeria:Nigeria: Emerging one-party dominant system Emerging one-party dominant system (PDP dominates the executive and legislature)(PDP dominates the executive and legislature)

Topic in CountriesTopic in Countries ►Political Parties in the United Political Parties in the United

KingdomKingdom The UK:The UK: Generally considered a two-and-a- Generally considered a two-and-a-

half party systemhalf party system Labour Party had controlled the government Labour Party had controlled the government

since 1997. Conservatives gained control of since 1997. Conservatives gained control of government in 2010. Re-elected in 2015.government in 2010. Re-elected in 2015.

The main opposition party is the Labour Party.The main opposition party is the Labour Party. The third largest party was the Liberal The third largest party was the Liberal

Democratic Party. It is now the Scottish Democratic Party. It is now the Scottish National Party.National Party.►Gains a relatively large percent of the voteGains a relatively large percent of the vote►But, with FPTP system, wins a smaller percent of But, with FPTP system, wins a smaller percent of

seatsseats

Topic in CountriesTopic in Countries ►Political Parties in Germany, France, Political Parties in Germany, France,

India, Mexico, and Brazil India, Mexico, and Brazil Germany:Germany: Multiparty system with two main Multiparty system with two main

parties: Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and parties: Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD)Social Democrats (SPD)

France:France: “Multiparty bipolar system”; most “Multiparty bipolar system”; most important party today is the Socialist party important party today is the Socialist party (Hollande’s party); main party of the Right is the (Hollande’s party); main party of the Right is the UMP (Union for a Permanent Majority)UMP (Union for a Permanent Majority)

India:India: Multiparty system (six national parties); Multiparty system (six national parties); Congress Party (INC) dominated for much of Congress Party (INC) dominated for much of early independence period but BJP is INC’s main early independence period but BJP is INC’s main rival and currently controls the government. rival and currently controls the government.

In Theory and PracticeIn Theory and Practice Realignment Theory and Realignment Theory and

GermanyGermany►Realignment TheoryRealignment Theory

Developed by scholars of American politicsDeveloped by scholars of American politics Claims “critical elections” remake a country’s Claims “critical elections” remake a country’s

political landscape political landscape

►Germany and Realignment TheoryGermany and Realignment Theory Some see Germany as experiencing a Some see Germany as experiencing a

realignment following 2005 electionsrealignment following 2005 elections The 2005 The 2005 BundestagBundestag election produced no election produced no

clear winner; result was a CDU/SPD grand clear winner; result was a CDU/SPD grand coalitioncoalition

Aftermath included a new party, the Left PartyAftermath included a new party, the Left Party

In Theory and PracticeIn Theory and Practice Cleavage Structure Theory of Party Cleavage Structure Theory of Party

Systems and Political Parties in FranceSystems and Political Parties in France►Cleavage Structure TheoryCleavage Structure Theory

Outlined in Chapter 5Outlined in Chapter 5 Lipset and Rokkan apply this to party systemsLipset and Rokkan apply this to party systems They contend that party systems reflect They contend that party systems reflect

underlying social cleavages but “froze” in the underlying social cleavages but “froze” in the 1920s1920s

►FranceFrance France’s “multiparty bipolar system” today looks France’s “multiparty bipolar system” today looks

much like it did in the 1920smuch like it did in the 1920s Multiple parties but two main groups, one on the Multiple parties but two main groups, one on the

left and one on the rightleft and one on the right

Topic in CountriesTopic in Countries ►Participation in Germany, France, Participation in Germany, France,

India, Mexico, and Brazil India, Mexico, and Brazil Mexico:Mexico: The Institutional Revolution Party The Institutional Revolution Party

(PRI) dominated for much of the 20(PRI) dominated for much of the 20thth century; multiparty system today with the century; multiparty system today with the National Action Party (PAN) gaining National Action Party (PAN) gaining strength, but the PRI controls presidency.strength, but the PRI controls presidency.

Brazil:Brazil: Very large number of parties gain Very large number of parties gain seats in the legislature; four are the most seats in the legislature; four are the most important, including the Worker’s Party important, including the Worker’s Party (PT), the party of President Rouseff.(PT), the party of President Rouseff.

In Theory and PracticeIn Theory and Practice Party Organization Theory and Party Organization Theory and

MexicoMexico►Party Organization TheoryParty Organization Theory

Associated with Joseph SchlesingerAssociated with Joseph Schlesinger Highlights the collective action problem of political Highlights the collective action problem of political

parties; why should individuals work for the party?parties; why should individuals work for the party? Party “entrepreneurs” are willing to work hard Party “entrepreneurs” are willing to work hard

because they may gain personally through winning because they may gain personally through winning political officepolitical office

►Mexico’s Party of Democratic Revolution Mexico’s Party of Democratic Revolution (PRD)(PRD) PRD founded by the son of a former PRI leaderPRD founded by the son of a former PRI leader He was a party entrepreneur, but formed the PRD He was a party entrepreneur, but formed the PRD

as much or more because of policy differences with as much or more because of policy differences with the PRI as he did because of a desire to hold officethe PRI as he did because of a desire to hold office

Elections and Electoral Elections and Electoral SystemsSystems

► Types of Electoral SystemsTypes of Electoral Systems Proportional representation (PR) - Proportional representation (PR) - The percentage of the vote a certain party gets

becomes the percentage of the seats that the party secures in the legislature. Voters cast ballots for parties in multi-member districts.

First past the post (FPTP) – Voters select one candidate among several in single First past the post (FPTP) – Voters select one candidate among several in single member districts. The candidate with a plurality the vote takes the seat in the member districts. The candidate with a plurality the vote takes the seat in the legislature. The system can result in a party winning a high percentage of seats in legislature. The system can result in a party winning a high percentage of seats in a legislature.a legislature.

Variations and hybrid systems – discusses various ways that multi member districts Variations and hybrid systems – discusses various ways that multi member districts can be used in different types of PR elections, as well as how run offs can be used in can be used in different types of PR elections, as well as how run offs can be used in majoritarian systems. Preference systems use ranked list of candidates to achieve majoritarian systems. Preference systems use ranked list of candidates to achieve a majoritarian outcome. The single transferable vote system combines preferential a majoritarian outcome. The single transferable vote system combines preferential voting from a list of candidates with the use of multi member districts.voting from a list of candidates with the use of multi member districts.

► Advantages of PR Electoral SystemsAdvantages of PR Electoral Systems Minority interests are representedMinority interests are represented Women are more likely to be elected to officeWomen are more likely to be elected to office An emphasis on ideas over personalitiesAn emphasis on ideas over personalities

► Disadvantages of PR Electoral SystemsDisadvantages of PR Electoral Systems Too many small parties with disproportionate importanceToo many small parties with disproportionate importance PR facilitates extremist partiesPR facilitates extremist parties

Topic in CountriesTopic in Countries ►Elections in the PR Systems of Elections in the PR Systems of

Brazil and the Russian FederationBrazil and the Russian Federation Brazil:Brazil: Lower house chosen by PR (but Lower house chosen by PR (but

senators by FPTP and president by senators by FPTP and president by majority vote); lower house uses “open majority vote); lower house uses “open list” PRlist” PR

Russia:Russia: Used to be a hybrid system; Used to be a hybrid system; President Putin pushed to change it to President Putin pushed to change it to PR only; 2007 legislative elections and PR only; 2007 legislative elections and 2008 presidential elections sparked 2008 presidential elections sparked claims of irregularitiesclaims of irregularities

Topic in CountriesTopic in Countries ►Elections in FPTP Systems of the United Elections in FPTP Systems of the United

Kingdom, France, India, and Nigeria Kingdom, France, India, and Nigeria The UK:The UK: FPTP for House of Commons elections; FPTP for House of Commons elections;

tends to produce a majority party (which then tends to produce a majority party (which then controls the prime minister position)controls the prime minister position)

France: France: Majoritarian FPTP (two rounds of voting); Majoritarian FPTP (two rounds of voting); legislative candidates only need 25% of vote to winlegislative candidates only need 25% of vote to win

India:India: SMD/FPTP system for SMD/FPTP system for Lok SabhaLok Sabha; majorities ; majorities are hard to come by, so coalitions between are hard to come by, so coalitions between national and regional parties are commonnational and regional parties are common

Nigeria:Nigeria: Senate and House of Representatives Senate and House of Representatives elections are SMD/FPTP; PDP has dominated elections are SMD/FPTP; PDP has dominated elections since democracy was restored in 1999 elections since democracy was restored in 1999

Topic in CountriesTopic in Countries ►Elections in the Hybrid Electoral Elections in the Hybrid Electoral

Systems of Germany and Mexico, and Systems of Germany and Mexico, and the SMD-MMD System in Iranthe SMD-MMD System in Iran Germany:Germany: Electoral system for the Electoral system for the BundestagBundestag

combines PR and FPTP; PR seats distributed to combines PR and FPTP; PR seats distributed to create overall totals as if a pure PR systemcreate overall totals as if a pure PR system

Mexico:Mexico: The Congress is elected through a The Congress is elected through a combination of PR and FPTP (presidential winner combination of PR and FPTP (presidential winner comes from a FPTP national vote); Senate comes from a FPTP national vote); Senate elections include a “second past the post” (SPTP) elections include a “second past the post” (SPTP) rulerule

Iran:Iran: Guardian Council can block candidates from Guardian Council can block candidates from running for office; in running for office; in ParliamentParliament elections, some elections, some districts are single-member while others are districts are single-member while others are multi-membermulti-member

Topic in CountriesTopic in Countries ►(Local) Elections in China (Local) Elections in China

China:China: No real national elections; but, No real national elections; but, local elections have some genuine local elections have some genuine competition; candidates in village competition; candidates in village elections not always those preferred by elections not always those preferred by the CCPthe CCP

Some believe these local elections are Some believe these local elections are an experiment in democracy – like the an experiment in democracy – like the special economic zones that were an special economic zones that were an experiment with capitalism before it experiment with capitalism before it spread across the countryspread across the country