In most countries of Continental Europe, notably in France, there are Multi-party system, sometimes numbering from 17 to 20 and even 30. India, too, is a close second to France.
The Multi-party system is really intriguing. Where there are numerous parties, it is a misnomer to call them “parties.” They are, as a matter of fact, political “groups.” Moreover, multiplicity often encourages further fragmentation.
Dissident elements tend to split off. To a certain extent, this tendency is the reflection of a body-politic in which political tolerance is low and the various shades of opinion are held with uncompromising vigour by their various partisans. Once such a system becomes operative with the virtual impossibility of any party aspiring to command a majority, it encourages its own perpetuation.
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But the difference is not in name alone. There are fundamental differences in the working of a two-party and a Multi-party system. When there are a number of groups, say as many as nineteen or twenty, there can be no well-defined single majority party able to form a stable government. Majority can be obtained only by a combination of groups called a bloc.
An outstanding leader is selected from the various party groups and he sets about to make the ministry. The prospective Prime Minister negotiates with such leaders of other groups as can gather working majority. This is a matter of bargaining and compromise. Every ministry under the multi-party system is a coalition ministry.
A ministry which is the result of compromise between heterogeneous groups is sure to break down at the slightest pretext. Nor are the ministers subject to parliamentary loyalty and discipline.
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There is no common party leader who can bind them together into a team to play the game of politics under his captaincy. Every minister is a prospective Prime Minister. Cabinets formed by this method are notoriously weak and unstable.
M. Briand remarked on one occasion that the day on which a French Prime Minister takes office is the day upon which one at least of his colleagues begins to prepare his downfall.