One-Party State

A one-party state, also known as a single-party system, is a form of government where a single political party has the legal or de facto right to form the government, and all other parties are either banned, severely restricted, or exist only as subordinate allies of the ruling party.

In one-party states, the ruling party typically controls all branches of government and permeates civil society. While elections may be held, they are generally non-competitive. The party often justifies its monopoly on power through ideology, revolutionary legitimacy, or claims of national unity.

Contemporary one-party states include China (Communist Party), Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, and Eritrea. Historically, the Soviet Union and its satellite states operated as one-party systems. Some one-party states label themselves as people's republics or socialist republics.

Key Characteristics

• Single party holds monopoly on political power
• Opposition parties are banned or exist only nominally
• Party controls state institutions and often the military
• Elections, if held, are non-competitive or highly controlled
• Party ideology permeates government and civil society
• Top party leadership holds top government positions
• Media and civil society are typically under party control

Compare two one-party state countries

See how one-party state governments differ across countries