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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Party dominance 'theory': of what value?
Author:Suttner, RaymondISNI
Year:2006
Periodical:Politikon: South African Journal of Political Studies
Volume:33
Issue:3
Pages:277-297
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subjects:multiparty systems
power
democracy
External link:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02589340601122901
Abstract:This paper critiques the alleged value of the notion of 'party dominance' or the 'dominant party system', mainly propagated in South Africa by Roger Southall, Hermann Giliomee and Charles Simkins, and very much in vogue amongst scholars in the Netherlands, and to some extent in the USA and other places. The electoral dominance and the unlikelihood of defeat of the ANC in South Africa by opposition parties is primarily a preoccupation amongst sections of the academy and hardly appears to be discussed in the 'real world of politics'. The author traces the overseas lineage of the dominant party system approach and critiques its explanatory powers. Referring mostly to the situation in South Africa, he argues that the approach is flawed democratically in being anti-popular and that it also lacks explanatory value. It is neither a theory nor a system. A focus on a centre is mistaken because there are many places where relationships of power exist. And the focus on electoralism is totally inadequate to uncover power relationships because its focus is so ephemeral. The notion of pluralism must be broadened to extend beyond the electoral arena and incorporate the right and necessity of people to organize themselves around a variety of issues related to the many areas where contestation may occur. The factors of relevance to democracy are multifold and cannot be limited to the dominance of a party or the existence of an opposition organized in whatever way. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract, edited]
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