LESSON NOTE ON GOVERNMENT – SSS 1
PARTY SYSTEM
Party system can be defined as the conduct of government processes on the premise of the number of political parties in the system.
There are three types of party system namely, one/single party system, two party system and multi-party system. The type of party system in a state must be enshrined in the electoral law in tandem with the constitution.
ONE PARTY OR SINGLE PARTY SYSTEM
Only one party is constitutionally recognized and legalized in the country.
One party system is a system of communist or socialist countries like North Korea, China and Cuba.
TYPES OF ONE-PARTY SYSTEM
- I. True Single-Party System: there is law in place which prohibits the formation of any other party
- II. Hegemonic Party: there is no formal which prohibits other parties but the country is clearly a single party state especially by the use of other oppressive forces.
- III. Predominant Party: this is where only one party continuously enjoys the goodwill of the electorates thereby dominates the polity perpetually.
TWO-PARTY SYSTEM
There is the existence of only two major constitutionally recognized political parties in a country. A good example is Britain where the two major parties are Labour and Conservative Parties. Nigeria in the aborted 3rd republic practiced two-party system. The two parties then were NRC and SDP.
MULTI-PARTY SYSTEM
This is a system where more than two parties having been duly registered are contesting for political offices in a country. Nigeria in the second republic was a multi-party state with six (6) parties: NPN, UPN, PRP, NAP, NPP AND GNPP.
MERITS OF MULTI-PARTY SYSTEM
- It allows wider political participation and education.
- It enhances democracy.
- Wide diverse interests are represented.
- The system discourages dictatorship.
- Opposing bad governance by the ruling party is easier.
DEMERITS OF MULTI-PARTY SYSTEM
- Voters are prone to confusion during election polls.
- Multi-party system leads to coalition government in the parliamentary system.
- The system is very expensive.
- It could impose much stress on the electoral system.
- Many opposing party can weaken the government.
- It is known for unhealthy rivalry among the competing parties.
- Numerous and interfering political programmes cause difficulty in identifying the best choice.
ZERO-PARTY SYSTEM
In this system, there is no political party and election of political leaders is based on independent candidacy according to their individual merits.
MERITS OF ZERO-PARTY SYTEM
- It saves time.
- Cases of electoral malpractices is reduced to the barest minimum.
- Election is simple to conduct.
- Cost of conducting election much lower than in other systems.
- Decision making is quick and objective.
DEMERITS OF ZERO-PARTY SYTEM
- The electorates gets inadequate citizenship/voter education.
- Due to lack of party manifesto, political leaders may lack direction.
- Elections may be poorly organized and confusing.
- It is more likely for irresponsible leaders to emerge.
- The system may bring about less stability.
PARTY MANIFESTO
This can be defined as the aims, objectives and promissory programmes which a political party intends to fulfil to the electorate if elected into power.
IMPORTANCE OF PARTY MANIFESTO
- It gives direction to the party’s action and ideology.
- It is a reference by which the electorate assess the performance of a party.
- Manifesto can attract members and supporters.
- It is a material for educating the electorate.
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
- (a) Define party system.
- (b) List and explain the types of party system.
- (c) Discuss the characteristics of different systems.
- (d) Discuss the merits and the demerits of party systems.
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