In a dominant- party system, a single party wins approximately 60 percent or more of the seats in legislature and two or more other parties usually win less than 40 percent of the seat. Opposition parties in dominant-party system are free to contest elections. The dominant parties have to compete for votes to maintain its power or to gain power. This democratic competition imposes a check and balance on the government of the day, promotes transparency and accountability and ensures that service delivery to the people are prioritized or it will be given the boot.
In Malaysia, the United Malay National Organization (UMNO) became the dominant political force beginning in 1959. UMNO created an agreement with MCA (Malayan Chinese Association) and MIC (Malayan Indian Congress) together they formed the Barisan Nasional (National Front or BN) and since 1974 it has been the senior partner in a governing coalition. Since its formation as an independent state in 1963, Malaysia has never experienced a change in government. UMNO’s positions are attractive because they are important in Malaysia’s political and business life. Because UMNO leader has always served as Malaysia’s de facto prime minister, the party’s internal election is seen as the country’s real election. UMNO’s party apparatus often reflects the state’s apparatus, a fact that makes UMNO’s election even more alike with the country’s election.
In the 1999 elections for the first time in Malaysia’s history opposition parties united under Barisan Alternatif (Alternative Front or BA). Party Keadilan is a small multi-ethnic party formed in 1999 by activists in the reformation movement. Besides, PAS (Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party) had provided strong competition for UMNO. Another major ...
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... has grown, the political environment differs significantly for BN members and opposition parties. Because the BN maintains control over state resources, the press, and enforcement bodies, the ruling parties are able to campaign freely, utilize state machinery, and receive positive media coverage.
Reference
Works Cited
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Turning now to Will Kymlicka’s article, I agreed with much of what Kymlicka says, however I find his ideas of multiculturalism over glorifying the Liberal accomplishments and success, as attributed to only Liberal success in making multiculturalism more popular. However, I find that the issue of multicultural...
A two-party system is a political system in which only two parties have a realistic opportunity to compete effectively for control. As a result, all, or nearly all, elected officials end up being a member in one of the two major parties. In a two-party system, one of the parties usually holds a majority in the legislature hence, being referred to as the majority party while the other party is the minority party. The United States of America is considered to be a two-party system. A two-party system emerged early in the history of the new Republic. Beginning with the Federalists and the Jeffersonian Republicans in the late 1780s, two major parties have dominated national politics, although which particular two parties has changed with the times and issues. During the nineteenth century, the Democrats and Republicans emerged as the two dominant parties in American politics. As the American party system evolved, many third parties emerged, but few of them remained in existence for very long. Today the Democrats and Republican still remain as the dominant parties. These two parties hav...
middle of paper ... ... d therefore the smaller parties can be considered to have very little effect on the overall political situation. In conclusion, the UK can still best be described as a two party system, provided two considerations are taken into account. The first is that Conservative dominance victories between 1979-97 was not a suggestion of party dominance and that eventually, the swing of the political pendulum will be even for both sides. This can perhaps be seen today with Labour's two landslide victories in 1997 and 2001.
Contrary to popular belief, a minority government does not necessarily hinder a governing party. When practiced correctly, a minority government can be an improvement on single-party majority. Instead of one party controlling government, minority governments allow for multi-party governance, which promotes compromise between political parties. On the whole, minority government decreases stability and requires continuous cooperation with opposition parties. Although faced with many challenges, there are several beneficial aspects to a minority government. This paper will argue that a minority government does not hinder a governing party, and in fact can be beneficial in numerous ways. Most importantly a minority government allows the Prime Minister to maintain a range of important resources which allow for an effective government, minority governments deliver a more open and inclusive decision making process, and a minority government guarantees the confidence of the House for a certain amount of time.
As a representative of the Algo ethnic group, I want to say that our people would like the new state to introduce a parliamentary system of governence. Parliamentarism is a system of government in which the head of government is elected by and accountable to a parliament or legislature. One could rightfully ask: What is our reasoning for desiring this? We think it is justified because in presidential systems the populace at large votes for a chief executive, who is the President, in a nation-wide election. This is revenant as the Algo comprises the minority of the population of the Republic of Jarth, which consists of only 1.1 million representatives in the whole state, compared to that of 2.9 million Randies, 3.8 million Dorfas and 2.2 million Takas living in the Republic of Jarth. One can reasonably assume that the outcome will most likely be that the cumulation of the majority’s vote will hinder the representation (in numbers) of the members of the minority in office. Subsequently, the Algo will have to live under the control of a leader from another ethnic group again, which the Algo members tremble at the thought of because we are proud of their ethnicity and do not wished to be shamed for it. On the other hand, in parliamentarism, the first step is an election of members of parliament, which are the political parties. This is imperative since it will allow the Algo to be able to choose the party we really share interests with....
The history of Australia has been altered through multiculturalism. As Carter explains, “Histories of different ethnic groups – the Chinese, Germans, Scandinavians and so forth – have appeared with increasing regularity in recent decades” (348). Australia no longer has the same relationship to a British heritage (Carter 347). More information uncovers the interracial mixing of Indigenous and Asian, European and non-European, etc. Multiculturalism, furthermore, is allowing Australia to break away from its racist and isolationist history (Carter 348). While this is positive, multiculturalism may be a form of ‘nationalist triumphalism. Ien Ang
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They systematically exclude some voices in the electorate and over-reward the winner of an election, producing an ‘elected dictatorship’ which does not need to compromise with other parties (Norris, 1997: 10). The average winner’s bonus under MES is 12.5%, versus 5.7% under PR, i.e. to be assured of a parliamentary majority of seats, a party under PR would need to win 46.3% of the vote, but only 37.5% under MES (Norris, 1997: 8). In 1992, Sir Russell Johnston was elected in an SMP British constituency with only 19% of its support (Farrell, 2011: 16-17) and in that year’s general election, 40% of elected MPs did not have an overall majority of votes in their constituency (Farrell, 2011: 17-19) – that figure was 64% in 2005 (Farrell, 2011: 24). Indeed, the last time a governing party in the UK won as much as 50% of the vote was in 1935; Margaret Thatcher had a large parliamentary majority in 1983, but only 30.8% of the vote (Norris, 1997: 3). After the war, British governments received an average of 45% of the popular vote but 54% of seats in parliament, and even in close elections, almost never had to form coalitions (Norris, 1997: 6).
Zakaria, F. (2007). The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad (Revised Edition). New York: W. W. Norton.
In this essay I will explain about model of democracy in several point of view and also try to discuss about my hometown “Indonesia”. This essay discusses the extent to which the model of procedural democracy fits (and fails to fit) with the transition theory for explaining democratization and focusing to explain what is democracy? And what is democratization in general with several theories. Also there are explanation about democracy in Indonesia and the way Indonesia to democracy or democratization. Why am I taking Indonesia as my case study? Because in this country so many general election per period, from the bottom to the top position for instance from headman (village leader) to President. I think its really interesting talk about democracy in Indonesia. Moreover the democracy process in Indonesia have several amendments, its from different regimes had different policy. What we can see is from “Indonesia Constitution” there are several amendments on it about general election and also about governments.
Malaysia and Indonesia have the same problem of ethnic division. Major ethnics that heavily divided in Malaysia are Malay (bumiputera), Chinese, and Indian. While major ethnic in Indonesia that heavily divided are Chinese, Javanese, and in minor case, Papua. Foreign occupation and attachment are also prevalent in both countries particularly during colonial era where Indonesia was colonialized by Netherland and Japan and received great influence from United States of America (US) and USSR during Cold War. While Malaysia occupied by British colonial during colonial period, it also receives great influence from United States during Cold War era. The deep division among ethnic in Indonesia during Suharto era can be linked to the Cold War context of that era. After the 30th September tragedy, Indonesian society at that time were in trauma to communist idea due to Indonesia Communist Party (PKI) was suspected to be the one behind G30S. Soeharto who later become president employ a strategy of anti-communism. Indonesia then supported by US who oppose communism, US gave abundant aids and loans to Indonesia. Chinese-descendants who were seen as having close relation with communist regime of People’s Republic of China was forced to ‘Indonesianize’ their name and forced to have one nationality. Their religion,
The relationship and cooperation in handling the issue in Southern Thailand between Malaysia and Thailand government since a long time ago, has become disappointed, frustration and unsatisfied. This is might be best description that has been looked up since the working relations between past Thai governments and their Malaysian counterparts was comes to Southern Thailand (Thanet, 2013). For the Thailand government, cooperation with the Malaysian authorities is really needed while in dealing with the separatist insurgents that often to the slip across the porous border from Thailand. Meanwhile, for the Malaysian side, through the sharing of same ethnicity and Islamic religion in the Southern Thai Muslims, was means that their politicians ought to have a key role to play in understanding and resolving insurgency issues in Southern Thailand. Therefore, it might can be seem in logically think that, without the help by the Malaysian government, the issues that regards to Muslim separatist moments in the Deep South would be difficul...
In his article “The Failure of Multiculturalism”, Kenan Malik uses the diverse European culture to study and explain the irony of multiculturalism. He defines multiculturalism as “the embrace of an inclusive, diverse society” (Malik 21). Integration between cultures is practically inevitable, but several nations view this as a threat towards upholding their culture. Due to this, many countries have made attempts at properly integrating new people and ideas while trying to prevent the degradation of their own. This can result in unjust regulations and the reverse effect of an intended multicultural society.
But our country in the past 47 years, our country out of three big races, Chinese and Malay fight in the case of 1969 May 13. Because we are not togetherness based on history of Malaysia, that time of Chinese is over show off causes an invisible resistance after election(Pilihan Raya). The time is passing, until now we are 1Malaysia can fight with any attacks from the outside because We are the 1 unique and our togetherness of spirit is never end whenever any problem come through us. I will never forget the idioms that totally express our country nowadays ‘Unity is strength’. Our mother nature is also important to us.