In almost every country, the leaders are elected using political parties. However, there are some countries without parties, and they still have good governance and running just like any other country. It is the people who represent the others, not a political party. While parties are formed to keep democracy thriving, having none doesn’t mean democracy cannot exist. Here are 10 countries without political parties.
10. Palau
Palau is one of the countries with no political parties. The formation of parties is not forbidden by the law but the people have chosen not to have one. In 1996, there was the Palau Nationalist Part, which was a political vehicle for the elections. It later lost its meaning and ceased existing.
In 1987, there the Ta Belau Party and likewise lost its relevancy and became dormant. The party supported Lazarus Salii as the president, but he later took his life in 1988 while still in office. The absence of political parties in Palau is due to the culture and size of the country.
According to findings, traditional leadership increases democracy performance in the country. The absence of parties does not seem to affect to undermine the country’s governance.
9. Tuvalu
Tuvalu has no political parties since 2002. This happened when their then prime minister, Koloa Talake failed to be re-elected. The parliament elected Saufatu Sopoanga as the Prime Minister. But in 2003, when the country held by-elections, he had lost his popularity among the legislators. He didn’t recall the parliament, and later in the year, an opposition member joined the government through a by-election where only the parliament voted.
In 2004, Sopoanga was removed via a vote of no confidence, and Maatia Toafa became the Prime Minister. In 2006, new members were elected through a general election. The political parties lost relevance, and currently, the Tuvalu legislature is elected on the national level. The country’s parliament elected after every four years and has only 15 members. 7 out of the 15 seats are double, and one is single.
In Tuvalu’s history, three women have had a chance to be elected. This includes Dr. Puakena Boreham in the 2015 general election, Pelenike Isaia who was in the government from 2011 up to 2015, and Naama Maheu from 1989 up to 1997.
8. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is under monarchy rule and has no political parties. All parties are illegal, and one family dominates the leadership. In 2010, the Saudi government was ranked as the 7th most authoritative government in the world among 167 countries that were rated.
Political parties are banned in Saudi Arabia. The national elections are held in two distinct arenas. One, the Al Saud, and the other between the royal family and the rest of Saudi society. In the monarch system, the royal family dominates mostly in the political system.
Furthermore, the Quran guides the monarch of Saudi Arabia, and the country is deeply rooted in Islam. The religious foundations are ideological, moral, and constitutional. Their constitution is based on the Quran.
7. Bahrain
In Bahrain, political parties are illegal, and the country is governed by what is known as Shura Council. It is similar to a legislative assembly and has 80 members. 40 of them are elected and the others directly appointed by the country’s king. The governance is partially democratic with parliamentary and municipality elections.
There is also a Prime Minister who helps to govern while ensuring no political parties are formed. The law is part of the kingdom’s constitution and any group or body that tries to oppose it is dissolved.
6. Qatar
In Qatar, there are no political parties. The only elections held in the country are to help appoint members of the municipal council. It is one of the wealthiest countries, but quite a large part of the population is made up of expatriates, and they have no political rights.
The state’s head is the emir and his family has monopoly power politically. The emir decides who will be in the cabinet and appoints the prime minister. The same person chooses the heir but has to consult other family members and notables in the community.
The government of Bahrain prohibits political parties strictly. Anyone who wants to run for a municipal election does so independently. However, political affairs are highly influenced by family and tribal ties. The ruling family dominates the governance system. However, the government doesn’t shun fro employing foreigners as senior employees or judges; the only thing they have to understand is that they have no political rights in Bahrain.
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5. Brunei
Brunei is on the north coast of Borneo Island and is under monarchy governance. No elections are held in the country and it’s led by a Sultan, who is also the prime minister. The country has a national philosophy known as Melayu Islam Beraja and this serves as the country’s constitution.
According to the constitution, Islam is the official religion in the state. Besides, it outlines all the powers bestowed on the Sultan. Additionally, this leader of the government appoints the cabinet members, which consists of the prime minister and cabinet head.
The Sultan holds other positions such as the minister of finance, defense, and foreign affairs, and trade. What’s more, he appoints five councils to provide advisory to the government. They include succession, religion, cabinet, the legislative, and the privy councils.
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4. Federated States of Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia has no political parties. The president is the head of the federated states. The president and the cabinet have executive powers while he shares legislative powers with Congress. The country’s judicial system is independent and not influenced by the legislature and the president.
The Federated States of Micronesia has four states and each is governed by its constitution, governor, lieutenant, and an elected legislature. However, significant power is in the president and his government. Congress elects the president and his vice. But, they are appointed by the cabinet.
The country has a stable democracy with regular elections. But secessionist movements threaten the country’s unity though that has not changed the country’s state of having no political parties.
3. Oman
The government of Omani is a monarchy. It is led by a self-appointed Sultan known as Qaboos Bin Said. He has held the position since 1970 after overthrowing his father. Apart from being the president, he is also the chief of state. He appoints the heir and the cabinet. The people of Oman do not have direct representatives and political parties are strictly prohibited.
Over the years, the current Sultan has tried to balance things despite remaining as the ruler for over four decades. He takes care of regional, ethnic and tribal interests by placing leaders who represent the groups in his government.
The Majlis Ash-Shura is a consultative council established in 1991 and has 59 members that help people with limited political expression opportunities. All the members come from the 59 wilayats or regions in Oman. But, the sultan has all the powers to hire and fire council ministers, and the monarchy is hereditary.
2. UAE
UAE or the United Arab Emirates has seven emirates including Dubai, Ajman, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Sharjah, and Ra’s al- Khaimah. It is governed by a federal president. While there are no political elections, every state has a monarch, and the president is chosen among them. The president appoints the cabinet.
Further, UAE has 40-member Federal National Council; the seven rulers of the emirates select 20 of the members, and the other 20 are elected to serve for a term of four years. Elections are based on individuals since there are no political parties.
1. Vatican City
Vatican City is under the leadership of the monarchy. The Pope and the senior members of the Roman Catholic Church form the governing body. He is elected worldwide by 120 cardinals and he becomes the chief of state in addition to being the highest leader of the church. Further, the position lasts a lifetime, and he has supreme, judicial, and legislative power in Vatican City.
The country has a complex structure of intricate official agencies established to offer power in well-designed categories. The structure is called Roman Curia and all members are chosen and given power by the Pope.
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Conclusion
The relevance of a political party is recognized worldwide and often related to democracy. However, it is not a guarantee of good governance. The above countries are doing well with no political parties. They have established strong leaderships despite missing out on the benefits of political parties. Good leadership lies within a community and its values, not in a single leader. What’s more, in the absence of competing political parties, national solidarity and social conformity unite the people.