How opposition parties sustain single-party dominance: Lessons from India. (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ziegfeld, Adam; Tudor, Maya
• Is Part Of: Party politics. Volume 23:Number 3(2017:May)
• Page Start: 262
• Page End: 273
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: dominant parties -- electoral coordination -- India -- party systems; Political parties -- Periodicals; Political science -- Periodicals; 324.2
• DOI: 10.1177/1354068815593455
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1354-0688

Abstract

When elections are free and fair, why do some political parties rule for prolonged periods of time? Most explanations for single-party dominance focus on the dominant party's origins, resources, or strategies. In this article, we show how opposition parties can undermine or sustain single-party dominance. Specifically, opposition parties should be central in explaining single-party dominance in countries with highly disproportional electoral systems and a dominant party whose vote share falls short of a popular majority. Employing a quantitative analysis of Indian legislative elections as well as a paired case study, we show that opposition coordination plays a crucial part in undermining single-party dominance.