Question

Do you think our two-party system is good or would you like to see a multi-party system? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each system?

Answer 1

A two-party system has the advantage of size and therefore power, and that’s what emerged in the United States because the United States has a first-past-the-post voting system in which whoever wins the plurality of the votes in a district gets to represent that district even if less than half of the voters voted for her.

Multi-party systems work much better in a proportional representation system in which voters vote not for individual people but for parties. The seats in the legislature are then assigned according to how many people voted for each party. If no party has a majority of the seats, they have to form a coalition to govern. This is how it has worked in Sweden and Denmark for years and years.

The big problem with the two-party system is that it produces wild swings in policy depending on which party is in charge, while a multi-party system isn’t so extreme because of all the horsetrading they have to do.

Advantages of the American two-party system:

• Stability: Two-party systems are more stable than multiparty systems
• Moderation: The two parties must appeal to the middle to win elections, so the parties tend to be moderate.
• Ease: Voters have only to decide between two parties.

Disadvantages to two party system:

• Lack of choice: Both parties tend to be very similar, limiting voters’ options.
• Less democratic: A percentage of people will always feel marginalized by the system.

Advantages of multi party system :

It is democratic

One of the principles of democracy is that the people must be given the opportunity to freely associate with any group they want to. A multi-party system affords that opportunity to the citizenry to have as many choices as possible.

Ensures a peaceful change of power

It allows for a peaceful change of government. The existence of many parties means that there are other parties can wait for their turn to be voted and prevents concentration of power in one party.

Caters for the minority

there are chances that every citizen’s political interest would be catered for and participation of every group in the election.

Allows for opposition

It allows opposition parties to exist. Under this system, once a party is voted into power, the rest become opposition parties with or without seats in parliament.

Permits mass political participation

It allows for people to join the various parties and as they do so they engage in political activism, thereby allowing the scope of political participation to be enlarged.

Disadvantages of multi party system:

Expensive to operate

It is very expensive to run. All the parties vying for political power must convince the people to vote for them. They spend huge money to catchthe eye of the voter. This needs money to prosecute.

Divisive in nature

It can lead to divisions in the nation. Parties could be formed along tribal, religious or ethnic lines.The splinter of parties helps to create divisions.

Provides too many choices

The electorates are bombarded with too many choices to the point where they get confused.  

Results in coalition governments

If no party is able to get the absolute majority to be able to form a government. The result is that some parties have to come together before a government can be formed. These coalition governments are mostly weak and unstable.

Stifles continuity

The presence of so many parties in a multi-party system allows for the frequent formation of coalition governments. Coalition governments frequently break down so it does not allow for continuity in a single policy for the continuous development of the country.

Generates unnecessary rivals

It creates unhealthy rivalry among the various parties. If not well managed, it can result in conflicts and retard the country’s development.