Question

Discuss the demerits of Bi-Party System.

Examine the demerits of bi-party system.

Answer 1

1. Cannot be possible in every state: In pluralistic states, that is, states with social, religious, and cultural diversity, a two-party system cannot function. Multiparty systems naturally arise in these situations. Political parties are formed by various groupings of people.
2. The majority party can misuse its powers: One party does, in fact, win a resounding majority in elections under a two-party system. But there is a risk associated with this feature as well. Because it is confident of a long tenure based on majority support, the majority party can begin acting in a totalitarian manner. It may disregard the interests of certain societal segments due to its majority status.
3. Limited Choice: Voters in a two-party system have very few options. One of the two candidates from each of the two major political parties must be chosen. It may be challenging for them to elect the candidate of their choice.
4. Division of Nation into two sharp groups: The entire country is split into two political camps under the two-party system, each of which supports a single party. The two main parties are working against each other. They both want to beat each other. There is a constant political struggle between the two parties and their groups in the state’s political landscape.
5. All sections of society do not get proper representation: Every culture has a variety of social strata and interest groups. To represent all of these interests and classes, various political parties are required. The existence of two major, influential parties is neither practical nor feasible.
6. Legislature gets divided into two parts: The populace is split into two political groups under a two-party system. There are two opposing camps in the election process. The opposition and the majority in the legislature are sharply split. There is a fierce political battle between the two.
7. Unduly big importance of the leader of the majority and the leader of opposition: The top leader of each party gains excessive influence in a two-party system. The majority party’s leader eventually becomes crucial to the use of governing authority. His leadership and personality became the focal points of his party. Similarly, the opposition leader consistently imagines himself as the state’s ultimate ruler. The two main political leaders of the two parties engage in a personality conflict during the political conflict.
8. Role of smaller parties becomes meaningless: Two major political parties engage in a power battle in a bi-party system. These eventually take centre stage in how the political system functions. Smaller parties’ roles are diminished, and they essentially cease to exist.