Party Systems and Party Competition

Abstract

An important role in federalism is played by party politics. Parties must operate in electoral arenas at two levels and across distinct territories, which can serve an integrative or a disintegrative purpose. In some cases, a state-wide party system dominates, with elections at the lower level becoming ‘second order’ elections, decided on the popularity of the incumbent central government. This is not the case in Canada or the United Kingdom, where political competition in the constituent parts takes distinct forms. Historically, Canada has had different party systems at the two levels, even where the parties carry the same names. Federal governments, although always formed by a single party, are often effectively coalitions of different territorial interests, living together in greater or lesser harmony. In Great Britain (but not Northern Ireland), the same parties have competed across the state. They must then adapt to different electoral environments while maintaining the capacity to come together at the centre. For most of the twentieth century, they were able to play an integrative role, with substantial (if uneven) support in England, Scotland and Wales. In recent years, this challenge has become much more difficult, with the emergence of new cleavages both on territory and on Europe. Scotland has become a distinct electoral arena, while Wales has tended to vote more like England.