What is multi-party system? Why has India adopted a multi-party system? Explain.
Multi-party System: If several parties compete for power and more than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming in power either on their own strength or in alliance with others we call it a multi-party system.
Party system is not something, any country can choose. It evolves over a long time, depending on the nature of society, its social and regional divisions, its history of politics and its system of elections.
- These cannot be changed very quickly.
- India has evolved a multi-party system because the social and geographical diversity in such a large country is not easily absorbed by two or even three parties.
- This system allows for a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political representation.
- Such representation strengthens democracy.