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Opposition Growth in Dominant Party Systems: Coalitions in South Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2013

Danielle Langfield
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Abstract

What is responsible for the decline of democratically dominant parties and the corresponding growth of competitive party systems? This article argues that, despite a ruling party's dominance, opposition forces can gain by winning important subnational offices and then creating a governance record that they can use to win new supporters. It focuses on South Africa as a paradigmatic dominant party system, tracing the increased competitiveness of elections in Cape Town and the surrounding Western Cape province between 1999 and 2010. These events show how party strategies may evolve, reflecting how party elites can learn from forming coalitions.

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Articles
Information
Government and Opposition , Volume 49 , Issue 2 , April 2014 , pp. 290 - 312
Copyright
Copyright © Government and Opposition Ltd 2013 

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Footnotes

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Danielle Langfield is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY. Contact email: [email protected].

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