A single-party state, one-party state, one-party system or single-party system is a type of state in which a single political party has the right to form the government, usually based on the existing constitution. All other parties are either outlawed or allowed to take only a limited and controlled participation in elections. Sometimes the term de facto single-party state is used to describe a dominant-party system that, unlike the single-party state, allows (at least nominally) democratic multiparty elections, but the existing practices or balance of political power effectively prevent the opposition from winning the elections.
Concept
Single-party states are justified for a number of reasons. Most often, proponents of a single-party state argue that the existence of separate parties runs counter to national unity. Others argue that the single party is the vanguard of the people, and therefore its right to rule cannot be legitimately questioned.
Some single party states only outlaw opposition parties, while allowing subordinate allied parties to exist as part of a permanent coalition such as a popular front. Examples of this are the People's Republic of China under the United Front, or the National Front in former East Germany. Others may allow non-party members to run for legislative seats, as was the case with Taiwan's Tangwai movement in the 1970s and 1980s.
Within their own countries, dominant parties ruling over single-party states are often referred to simply as the Party. For example, in reference to the Soviet Union, the Party meant the Communist Party of the Soviet Union; in reference to the former People's Republic of Poland it referred to the Polish United Workers' Party.
Most single-party states have been ruled either by parties following the ideology of Marxism-Leninism and international solidarity (such as the Soviet Union for most of its existence), or by parties following some type of nationalist or fascist ideology (such as Germany under Adolf Hitler), or by parties that came to power in the wake of independence from colonial rule. One-party systems often arise from decolonization because one party has had an overwhelmingly dominant role in liberation or in independence struggles.
Single-party states are often, but not always, considered to be authoritarian or totalitarian. However, not all authoritarian or totalitarian states operate based on single-party rule. Some, especially absolute monarchies and certain military dictatorships, have made all political parties illegal.
The term "communist state" is often used in the west to apply to states in which the ruling party subscribes to a form of Marxism-Leninism. However, such states do not use that term themselves, seeing communism as a phase to develop after the full maturation of socialism, and instead often use the titles of "people's republic," "socialist republic," or "democratic republic." One peculiar example is Cuba, where the role of the Communist Party is enshrined in the constitution, and no party is permitted to campaign or run candidates for election, including the Communist party. Candidates are elected on an individual referendum basis without formal party involvement, though elected assemblies predominantly consist of members of the dominant party alongside non-affiliated candidates.[1]
Examples
The True Whig Party of Liberia is considered the founder of the first single-party state in the world, as despite opposition parties never being outlawed, it completely dominated Liberian politics from 1878 until 1980.[2] The party was conceived by the original Black American settlers and their descendants who referred to themselves as Americo-Liberians. Initially, its ideology was heavily influenced by that of the Whig Party in the United States. Over time it developed into a powerful Masonic Order that ruled every aspect of Liberian society for well over a century until it was overthrown in 1980. While the True Whig Party still exists today, its influence has substantially declined.
Current single-party states
The following list includes the countries that are legally constituted as single-party states as of 2013 and the name of the single party in power:
Former single-party states
- Most states in Sub-Saharan Africa after independence, although all except Eritrea have eventually converted to a de jure multi-party system;
-
Angola (MPLA) 1975-1991
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Benin (People's Revolutionary Party of Benin) 1975-1990
-
Upper Volta (African Democratic Rally) 1960–1966
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Burundi (Union for National Progress) 1966-1992
-
Cameroon (Cameroon National Union) 1966-1985, (Cameroon People's Democratic Movement) 1985-1990
-
Cape Verde (African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde) 1975-1981, (African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde) 1981-1990
-
Central African Republic (Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa) 1962-1980, (Central African Democratic Union) 1980-1981, (Central African Democratic Rally) 1987-1991
-
Chad (Chadian Progressive Party) 1962-1973, (National Movement for the Cultural and Social Revolution) 1973-1975, (National Union for Independence and Revolution) 1984-1990
-
Comoros (Comorian Union for Progress) 1982-1990
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Congo-Brazzaville (Congolese Party of Labour) 1969-1990
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Congo-Kinshasa (Popular Movement of the Revolution) 1970–1990
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Djibouti (People's Rally for Progress) 1977-1992
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Equatorial Guinea (Worker's National United Party) 1970-1979, (Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea) 1987-1991
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Ethiopia (Workers' Party of Ethiopia) 1984-1991
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Gabon (Gabonese Democratic Party) 1968-1990
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Ghana (Convention People's Party) 1964-1966
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Guinea (Democratic Party of Guinea – African Democratic Rally) 1958-1984
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Guinea-Bissau (African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde) 1974-1991
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Ivory Coast (Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire – African Democratic Rally) 1960–1990
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Kenya (Kenya African National Union) 1982-1991
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Liberia (True Whig Party) 1878-1980
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Madagascar (National Front for the Defense of the Revolution) 1976-1989
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Malawi (Malawi Congress Party) 1964-1993
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Mali (Sudanese Union – African Democratic Rally) 1960-1968, (Democratic Union of the Malian People) 1976-1991
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Mauritania (Mauritanian People's Party) 1961-1978
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Mozambique (FRELIMO) 1975-1990
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Niger (Nigerien Progressive Party – African Democratic Rally) 1960-1974, (National Movement for the Development of Society) 1989-1991
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Rwanda (Parmehutu) 1965-1973, (National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development) 1975-1991
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São Tomé and Príncipe (Movement for the Liberation of São Tomé and Príncipe/Social Democratic Party) 1975-1990
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Senegal (Socialist Party of Senegal) 1966-1974
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Seychelles (Seychelles People's Progressive Front) 1977-1991
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Sierra Leone (All People's Congress) 1978-1991
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Somalia (Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party) 1976-1991
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Sudan (Sudanese Socialist Union) 1971-1985, (National Congress Party) 1989-2005
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Tanzania (Chama cha Mapinduzi) 1977-1992
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Togo (Party of Togolese Unity) 1962-1963, (Rally of the Togolese People) 1969-1991
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Uganda (Uganda People's Congress) 1969-1971
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Zambia (United National Independence Party) 1972-1990
- Some Middle Eastern and North African states;
- One state in Central Asia;
- One state in South Asia;
- Two state in Southeast Asia;
- The former Soviet Union, Warsaw Pact, and other Communist states;
- Several nationalist states;
See also
Notes
External links
- Map of One Party States, 1945-95
- Single party states in Africa
- List of One-Party Regimes
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