key term - Political Party Systems

Definition

Political party systems refer to the ways in which political parties organize themselves and compete for power within a country's political landscape. It includes factors such as the number of parties, their ideologies, levels of organization, and patterns of competition.

Related terms

Electoral Systems:

Electoral systems play a crucial role in shaping political party systems by influencing how votes are translated into seats. Different electoral systems can encourage or discourage certain types of parties or strategies.

Multi-party System: A multi-party system is a type of political party system where multiple parties have a realistic chance to win elections and gain representation in government. This system often leads to coalition governments formed by multiple parties working together.

Two-party System: A two-party system is a type of political party system where only two major parties dominate the electoral landscape. In this system, smaller parties have limited opportunities for representation and influence.