One-party state

[1] In a one-party state, all opposition parties are either outlawed or enjoy limited and controlled participation in elections.

The term "de facto one-party state" is sometimes used to describe a dominant-party system that, unlike a one-party state, allows (at least nominally) multiparty elections, but the existing practices or balance of political power effectively prevent the opposition from winning power.

[3] With such a small winning coalition, leaders in one-party states usually lack the incentive to care about the well-being of citizens.

[4] In doing so, the party avoids committing outright fraud and rather sustains their power at the local level with strategic appointment of elites.

[5] As of 2025, the following countries are legally constituted as one-party states: A de facto one-party system is one that, while not officially linking a single political party to governmental power, utilizes some means of political manipulation to ensure only one party stays in power.