Weak Political Party System in Papua New Guinea 1975 - 2002

Introduction 

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has a parliamentary representative democratic multi-party system, with the Prime Minister as the head of government and the monarch serving as head of state. However, the political party system in PNG has been characterized by instability, weak party organization and structures, and a lack of ideological premise and discipline. In this blog, we will discuss the following themes:

1. Fluid and weak party organization and structures

2. Political Party allegiance are personal and localized

3. Political parties without ideological premise and discipline

4. Party hoping and coalition become localized and personalized

Fluid and weak party organization and structures

Political parties in PNG have been characterized by weak organizational structures, with parties often being formed around a single individual or family. Parties are often formed and dissolved quickly, with members frequently switching parties. This has led to a lack of institutionalization and continuity in the party system.

Political Party allegiance are personal and localized

In PNG, political party allegiance is often based on personal relationships and local affiliations rather than ideology or policy. This has led to a highly localized and personalized party system, with parties often representing the interests of a particular region or ethnic group rather than the nation as a whole.

 Political parties without ideological premise and discipline

Most political parties in PNG lack a clear ideological premise or policy platform. This has led to a lack of discipline within parties, with members often voting based on personal interests rather than party lines. Parties are often formed around a charismatic leader rather than a set of shared values or beliefs.

Party hoping and coalition become localized and personalized

Party hoping and coalition-building are common in PNG, with members frequently switching parties and forming coalitions based on personal relationships and local affiliations. This has led to a highly personalized and localized party system, with parties often representing the interests of a particular region or ethnic group rather than the nation as a whole.

In conclusion, the political party system in PNG has been characterized by instability, weak party organization and structures, and a lack of ideological premise and discipline. Political party allegiance is often based on personal relationships and local affiliations rather than ideology or policy. Parties are often formed around a charismatic leader rather than a set of shared values or beliefs. Party hoping and coalition-building are common, leading to a highly personalized and localized party system.

Citations

[1] https://crawford.anu.edu.au/pdf/staff/ben_reilly/breilly3.pdf

[2] https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/party-politics-papua-new-guinea

[3] https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/papuanewguinea/35862.htm

[4] https://www.ndi.org/files/Political-parties-and-democracy-in-theoretical-and-practical-perspectives.pdf

[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Papua_New_Guinea

[6] https://www.nap.edu/read/9897/chapter/12