Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A party system refers to how political parties are organized within a country or region. It describes how parties compete with each other to gain power through elections or other means.
Related terms
Two-party system: A type of party system where only two major political parties dominate the competition, like the Conservative and Labour Parties in the UK.
Multi-party system: A type of party system where multiple political parties actively participate in elections and have a chance to gain power.
Dominant-party system: A type of party system where one political party consistently holds power, often due to advantages in resources or manipulation of electoral rules.