Predominant party systesm, world's predominant party samples and Turkey

This research is handled predominant party system which has emerged by positioning as a predominant party of a party based on length of time of government for a given period as a result of competitive elections against other parties within the party system. Why and how the predominant parties have emerged and how they maintain this position of the predominant party is the focus of this research. This research is prepared based on the comparative research method along with analyzing all the world's predominant party samples, particularly in Sweden, Japan, and Turkey, as an implementation of the theoretical framework. In this frame, research, firstly, provides information about representative democracy, party systems, and the predominant party system. Secondly, the factors which were determinant in achieving the position of the predominant party for the precedence of SDP's 44 years in Sweden and LDP's 38 years in Japan are analyzed. After both historical and theoretical framework of two examples is discussed in detail, the factors which have allowed the AK Party to be the predominant party in Turkey since 2002 are examined. In this context, the study also aims to test the hypotheses detailed in the introduction. As a result of the research, some common characteristics among the samples examined were found in obtaining and maintaining the predominant party position. The predominant parties that came to power after the social, economic and political crises can secure future elections if they can end these crises. The degree of the disproportion of the electoral system, the deep divisions between the opposition parties, the flexible party structure capable of attracting the largest electorate, the organizational power and the leader who could mobilize the electorate-party connection and mobilize the electorate were observed to have an advantage for the predominant parties. However, it should be noted that the effects of common factors were not seen to the same degree due to the unique conditions of each country. In the process of gaining party dominance in the case of SDP and LDP, the organizational strength of the parties and the support of socio-economic groups stand out, whereas, in the case of AK Party, the party leader is determined. Keywords: Party System, Predominant Party System, Turkey, Japan, Sweden