UK A-Levels Politics Practice Exam

In a one party system, what is the primary characteristic?

1. Multiple parties can compete for power

2. Only one political party is permitted to operate

3. There are two dominant parties

4. Parties freely express dissent

The correct answer is: Only one political party is permitted to operate

In a one-party system, the primary characteristic is that only one political party is permitted to operate. This kind of political environment centralizes power and authority within that singular party, effectively eliminating any real competition from alternative parties. The absence of other political parties means that voters do not have the choice to elect representatives from multiple ideologies or platforms, as all governance and political discourse are dominated by the policies and principles of the sole party in power. In contrast, multiple parties competing for power would indicate a multi-party system, where a variety of political beliefs can be represented, and no single party holds a monopoly on power. The concept of two dominant parties typically describes a two-party system, which allows some measure of political contestation between two main ideological factions. Lastly, a system where parties freely express dissent suggests a healthy democracy with multiple voices and viewpoints, which starkly opposes the restrictive nature of a one-party system. In these environments, dissent is often suppressed, and the ruling party controls all political narratives.