Minority government: Difference between revisions
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A '''minority [[government]]''', in a [[parliamentary democracy]], is one in which the governing party has fewer seats than the parties of the opposition. In the opposite situation, a majority government, the government is virtually certain to win any vote put to the legislature. It can thus be said to have the full confidence of [[parliament]]. A minority government is subject to a [[vote of no confidence]], which would bring down the governing party and force an [[election]]. A minority cannot occur in a [[two party system]], but as the number of parties in the legislature increases, so does the chance of a minority. | A '''minority [[government]]''', in a [[parliamentary democracy]], is one in which the governing party has fewer seats than the parties of the opposition. In the opposite situation, a majority government, the government is virtually certain to win any vote put to the legislature. It can thus be said to have the full confidence of [[parliament]]. A minority government is part of a ''hung parliament'' and can be subject to a [[vote of no confidence]], which would bring down the governing party and force an [[election]]. A minority cannot occur in a [[two party system]], but as the number of parties in the legislature increases, so does the chance of a minority. | ||
==Advantages and disadvantages== | |||
An advantage often put forward for parliamentary democracy is the virtual certainty of the executive being able to implement its program; this can also be seen as a disadvantage. A majority government becomes a virtual dictatorship while it is in office, so long as it remains within its constitutional rights. | An advantage often put forward for parliamentary democracy is the virtual certainty of the executive being able to implement its program; this can also be seen as a disadvantage. A majority government becomes a virtual dictatorship while it is in office, so long as it remains within its constitutional rights. | ||
==Recent experience== | |||
===Canada=== | |||
In the 2008 Canadian General election, the [[Conservative Party (Canada)|Conservative Party]], under Prime Minister [[Stephen Harper]], was returned to power with a minority government. In fact, the previous Harper government had been a minority. The Conservatives had hoped to improve their standing in the house by calling an election while they were in a relatively strong position. These hopes were effectively dashed by by the [[Crash of 2008]]. On December 1st, 2008, the [[Liberal Party (Canada)|Liberal Party]], led by [[Stéphane Dion]] and the [[New Democratic Party of Canada|New Democratic Party]], led by [[Jack Layton]], announced their intention to form a [[coalition]] supported by the separatist [[Bloc Québécois]] party. | In the 2008 Canadian General election, the [[Conservative Party (Canada)|Conservative Party]], under Prime Minister [[Stephen Harper]], was returned to power with a minority government. In fact, the previous Harper government had been a minority. The Conservatives had hoped to improve their standing in the house by calling an election while they were in a relatively strong position. These hopes were effectively dashed by by the [[Crash of 2008]]. On December 1st, 2008, the [[Liberal Party (Canada)|Liberal Party]], led by [[Stéphane Dion]] and the [[New Democratic Party of Canada|New Democratic Party]], led by [[Jack Layton]], announced their intention to form a [[coalition]] supported by the separatist [[Bloc Québécois]] party. | ||
===The Indian Scenario=== | ===The Indian Scenario=== | ||
In 1989 and again in 1991, there were minority governments formed in [[India]]. In 1989, [[Vishwanath Pratap Singh]] (died November 27, 2008) became the Prime Minister. In 1991 [[P V Narasimha Rao]] became the Prime Minister. In 1998, [[Atal Behari Vajpayee]] headed a minority government for 13 days. However, the first minority government had been formed by [[Chaudhary Charan Singh]] on July 28, 1979 - but he had never faced the Parliament in his brief tenure, followed by his resignation and being a caretaker PM for nearly six months. | In 1989 and again in 1991, there were minority governments formed in [[India]]. In 1989, [[Vishwanath Pratap Singh]] (died November 27, 2008) became the Prime Minister. In 1991 [[P V Narasimha Rao]] became the Prime Minister. In 1998, [[Atal Behari Vajpayee]] headed a minority government for 13 days. However, the first minority government had been formed by [[Chaudhary Charan Singh]] on July 28, 1979 - but he had never faced the Parliament in his brief tenure, followed by his resignation and being a caretaker PM for nearly six months. | ||
===United Kingdom=== | |||
Minority governments have been rare in the [[United Kingdom]] in recent years, and historically have occurred during periods of considerable economic strife. Although several parties sit in the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]], most of the seats are usually won by just two. The last minority government was that of [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Harold Wilson]], whose [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] was returned to Parliament in February 1974 with fewer seats than the opposition parties. His predecessor [[Edward Heath]], whose [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] actually won more votes than Labour, had governed at a time when a [[mining|miners]]' [[strike]] was threatened and war in the [[Middle East]] led to an [[oil]] shortages. Wilson went to the country again in October 1974 to try to win a majority, returning with a three-seat margin over the opposition. | |||
Previously, two minority governments were formed in the 1920s and 1930s. The first government of the Labour Party, for instance, lasted for ten months in 1924. Another Labour minority government, again under [[Ramsay MacDonald]], served as a minority from 1929 to 1931. | |||
Revision as of 03:28, 4 December 2008
A minority government, in a parliamentary democracy, is one in which the governing party has fewer seats than the parties of the opposition. In the opposite situation, a majority government, the government is virtually certain to win any vote put to the legislature. It can thus be said to have the full confidence of parliament. A minority government is part of a hung parliament and can be subject to a vote of no confidence, which would bring down the governing party and force an election. A minority cannot occur in a two party system, but as the number of parties in the legislature increases, so does the chance of a minority.
Advantages and disadvantages
An advantage often put forward for parliamentary democracy is the virtual certainty of the executive being able to implement its program; this can also be seen as a disadvantage. A majority government becomes a virtual dictatorship while it is in office, so long as it remains within its constitutional rights.
Recent experience
Canada
In the 2008 Canadian General election, the Conservative Party, under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, was returned to power with a minority government. In fact, the previous Harper government had been a minority. The Conservatives had hoped to improve their standing in the house by calling an election while they were in a relatively strong position. These hopes were effectively dashed by by the Crash of 2008. On December 1st, 2008, the Liberal Party, led by Stéphane Dion and the New Democratic Party, led by Jack Layton, announced their intention to form a coalition supported by the separatist Bloc Québécois party.
The Indian Scenario
In 1989 and again in 1991, there were minority governments formed in India. In 1989, Vishwanath Pratap Singh (died November 27, 2008) became the Prime Minister. In 1991 P V Narasimha Rao became the Prime Minister. In 1998, Atal Behari Vajpayee headed a minority government for 13 days. However, the first minority government had been formed by Chaudhary Charan Singh on July 28, 1979 - but he had never faced the Parliament in his brief tenure, followed by his resignation and being a caretaker PM for nearly six months.
United Kingdom
Minority governments have been rare in the United Kingdom in recent years, and historically have occurred during periods of considerable economic strife. Although several parties sit in the Parliament of the United Kingdom, most of the seats are usually won by just two. The last minority government was that of Prime Minister Harold Wilson, whose Labour Party was returned to Parliament in February 1974 with fewer seats than the opposition parties. His predecessor Edward Heath, whose Conservative Party actually won more votes than Labour, had governed at a time when a miners' strike was threatened and war in the Middle East led to an oil shortages. Wilson went to the country again in October 1974 to try to win a majority, returning with a three-seat margin over the opposition.
Previously, two minority governments were formed in the 1920s and 1930s. The first government of the Labour Party, for instance, lasted for ten months in 1924. Another Labour minority government, again under Ramsay MacDonald, served as a minority from 1929 to 1931.