Describe any five problems associated with a single party system of government.

Answer Details

The single (one) party system is a system in which only one political party is legally allowed to exist and contest for power. It is associated with the following problems:

1. Absence of opposition: There is no organised opposition to check the excesses of the ruling party, which encourages abuse of power.
2. Tendency towards dictatorship: With no rival party, leaders tend to become autocratic, intolerant and tyrannical.
3. Denial of choice: The electorate is deprived of the freedom to choose between alternative parties, candidates and programmes.
4. Suppression of fundamental rights: Freedoms of expression, association and the press are often curtailed to protect the ruling party.
5. Political stagnation: The absence of competition breeds complacency, corruption and inefficiency in government.
6. Personality cult: Power is often concentrated in one leader who is glorified beyond criticism.
7. Absence of accountability: Since the party cannot be voted out, the government is not truly answerable to the people.

(Any five of the above problems are acceptable.)