One-party state

A one-party state is a country where only one political party rules, often having a constitutionally-enshrined monopoly on political power over the government.

Many socialist states have been one-party states, with the communist party holding sole power and other political parties being outlawed. However, many leftists, including theorists such as Mao Zedong, have argued for multiple parties, albeit with the communist party still being in the dominant position.

"Which is better in the final analysis, to have just one party or several? As we see it now, it's perhaps better to have several parties. This has been true in the past and may well be so for the future; it means long-term coexistence and mutual supervision."

See also

• Vanguard party