PARTY STATE Meaning and
Definition
-
A party state is a political system in which a single political party or a dominant party holds complete control over all aspects of governance, often enforcing authoritarian rule. This concept is characterized by the concentration of power in the hands of the ruling party, which governs the state, makes all major decisions, and often suppresses dissent.
In a party state, the ruling party typically exercises control over the government, judiciary, military, media, and civil society organizations. Opposition parties or alternative political movements are either banned, marginalized, or co-opted to ensure the dominance of the ruling party. The party's ideology often forms the basis of state policies and shapes societal norms.
The characteristics of a party state include the establishment of a personality cult around the party's leader, centralized decision-making processes, propaganda and censorship, restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, and a lack of separation of powers. The state apparatus is often used to suppress opposition or dissenting voices.
The party state system can be seen in various countries, where a single party or a dominant party exercises absolute control, such as the former Soviet Union under the Communist Party, China under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party, or North Korea under the Workers' Party. However, it is important to note that not all one-party or dominant-party systems necessarily qualify as party states, as there may be varying degrees of political pluralism and competition.
Etymology of PARTY STATE
The term "party state" is not a word with etymology but rather a combination of two separate terms: "party" and "state".
- "Party" is derived from the Middle English word "partie" or "parti" which referred to a group of people who share common goals or beliefs. It originated from the Latin word "partita", meaning "divided" or "shared".
- "State" comes from the Latin word "status", which originally meant "condition" or "position". Over time, it evolved to refer to a social or political organization, typically an independent political entity governed by a central authority.
When combined, the term "party state" generally refers to a political system in which a single political party exercises significant control over the government and other institutions of the state.
