The system of government by the political parties in a democratic country is known as ______?

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the term describing how a democratic country is governed through its political parties, that is, the arrangement of parties competing for and holding power.

Step 2: Explain the concepts

• Party system: The pattern of competition and cooperation among political parties in a country. It describes how parties operate within the government. Examples are a one-party system, a two-party system, and a multi-party system.
• Party structure: The internal organisation of a single party, such as its wards, local government branches, state executives and national secretariat.
• Public opinion: The views and attitudes of citizens on political and social issues.
• Political party: An organised group of people with shared ideas who seek to win power and form the government. It is one party, not the whole system.

Step 3: Work through the options

• The question asks about a system of government carried out by political parties, which points to a general arrangement and not to one organisation.
• B is about the internal setup of a party, so it does not fit.
• C is about citizens' views, so it does not fit.
• D names a single organisation, not the system.
• A, the party system, describes how parties operate within a democracy to contest elections and govern.

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is A. Party system.

Exam tip: When you see "system" in a Government question, look for the option that contains the word "system". Also remember the difference: a political party is one group, party structure is its internal organisation, and the party system is how all the parties work together in a country.