Question

Discuss the demerits of Multi-Party System.

Answer 1

1. Unprincipled alliances: Unprincipled partnerships between multiple political parties are a constant result of multi-party systems. Every party aspires to control the state. It never thinks twice about forming an alliance with minor, nonsecular parties for this reason. Political parties act like organisations that are driven by a desire for power.
2. Source of hung legislatures: Hung legislatures are a result of multi-party systems. Several political parties won seats in the elections. Generally speaking, no party can secure a definite majority in the legislature. The legislature is transformed into the Hung Legislature. The issue of government-making arises from this.
3. Ineffective legislatures: Representatives from various political parties are elected under a multi-party system. The legislature is split up into various legislative groups. Such a legislature frequently does not function well.
4. Evil of political defections: Because there are so many political parties, elected officials are more likely to switch parties without hesitation in the hopes of receiving electoral benefits from the new party. Political defections are primarily caused by multi-party systems.
5. Election of less popular representatives: Elections in states with multi-party systems are invariably multi-candidate. Elections are often contested by multiple party candidates and independent candidates for a single seat. The public’s votes are split among all of the contenders. The election is won by the candidate who receives more votes than any other contender. He is elected as the people’s representative. He can represent the entire population of his area, even with only around 25% of the vote.
6. Unstable government: A coalition government is typically the result of a multi-party system. The government is organised by coalition partners, which are multiple parties that come together to form the ruling party. A government like that acts like a weak, unstable one. The coalition’s members don’t function as a cohesive and orderly ruling body.
7. Not really suitable for the parliamentary system of government: A parliamentary system of government functions similarly to a party system. In it, the government is formed by the legislative majority party. However, a hung legislature is typically the result of a multi-party system, in which no political party holds a majority. Forming a government becomes problematic.
8. More party politics and lack of discipline among party members: The breadth of party politics increases with the number of political parties. Additionally, the existence of numerous political parties always provides members of each party with the opportunity to switch parties. A multi-party system has the drawbacks of political corruption and defections.