Editing Multi-party system

{{Short description|Political system in which three or more parties can run for, and win in, national elections}}
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{{Party politics}}
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In [[political science]], a '''multi-party system''' is a [[political system]] where more than two meaningfully-distinct [[political parties]] regularly run for office and win [[election]]s.<ref>[http://student.education2020.com/activities/vocab.aspx?keystr=12674&order=02010205&stbl=2196465 Education 2020] definition of ''multiparty'': "A system in which several major and many lesser parties exist, seriously compete for, and actually win public offices."</ref> Multi-party systems tend to be more common in countries using [[proportional representation]] compared to those using [[Winner-take-all system|winner-take-all]] elections, a result known as [[Duverger's law]].

In these countries, usually no single party has a parliamentary majority by itself ([[hung parliament]]s). Instead, multiple political parties must negotiate to form a [[coalition]] with a majority of the vote, in order to make substantial changes.

== Comparisons with other party systems ==
Unlike a [[One-party state|one-party system]] (or a [[dominant-party system]]), a multi-party system encourages the general [[constituency]] to form multiple distinct, officially recognized groups, generally called [[political party|political parties]]. Each party competes for votes from the [[suffrage|enfranchised]] constituents (those allowed to vote). A multi-party system prevents the leadership of a single party from controlling a single [[legislative]] chamber without challenge.

A system where only two parties have a realistic possibility of winning an election is called a [[two-party system]]. A system where only three parties have a ''realistic possibility'' of winning an election or forming a [[coalition government|coalition]] is sometimes called a "[[Third party (politics)|third-party]] system".{{Cn|date=July 2024}} 

A two-party system requires voters to align themselves in large blocks, sometimes so large that they cannot agree on any overarching principles. Some theories argue that this allows [[centrism|centrist]]s to gain control, though this is disputed. On the other hand, if there are multiple major parties, each with less than a majority of the vote, the parties are strongly motivated to work together to form working governments. This also promotes centrism, as well as promoting coalition-building skills while discouraging polarization.<ref>The social science literature has contributed enormously in recent years on the effects on forms of government and quality of life of the citizens. Lowell's axiom is one of the most tested theory empirically tested (Lowell, A.L., 1896). [https://www.academia.edu/29273929/Is_multi-party_coalition_government_better_for_the_protection_of_socially_backward_classes_in_India Governments and Parties in Continental Europe. Bostin, MA: Houghton Mifflin).].</ref><ref>Basu, K., Dey Biswas, S., Harish, P., Dhar, S., & Lahiri, M. (2016). Is multi-party coalition government better for the protection of socially backward classes in India? UN-WIDER Working Paper, 2016 (109).</ref>

== By country ==
[[Argentina]], [[Armenia]], [[Belgium]], [[Brazil]], [[Canada]], [[Chile]], [[Denmark]], [[Finland]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Iceland]], [[India]], [[Indonesia]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], [[Israel]], [[Italy]], the [[Netherlands]], [[New Zealand]], [[Norway]], the [[Philippines]], [[Poland]], [[Sweden]], [[Turkey]] and [[Ukraine]] are examples of countries with multi-party systems.

==See also==
* [[List of ruling political parties by country]]
* [[Polarized pluralism]]
* [[Political organisation]]
* [[Ingroups and outgroups]]
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[[Category:Political systems]]
[[Category:Political party systems]]
[[Category:Elections]]
[[Category:Government]]
[[Category:Types of democracy]]