The Kuomintang (KMT) led China through significant periods of war and modernization in the early 20th century. However, after being defeated by Mao Zedong’s Communist forces in 1949, the KMT retreated to Taiwan, losing its dominance on the mainland. While the KMT remains influential in Taiwan, it has not regained its former global prominence. For more on its fall, see the Council on Foreign Relations (hoover.org).
For decades, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) governed Japan almost unchallenged, steering postwar reconstruction and the ‘economic miracle.’ However, internal scandals and voter fatigue led to its 2009 defeat, ending its long-standing dominance. Although it later returned, its invulnerability was shattered. For more details, see The Japan Times.
From 1929 to 2000, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) held near-total power in Mexico, shaping every aspect of the nation’s political life. Often referred to as the ‘perfect dictatorship,’ the PRI’s dominance was characterized by centralized control and limited political competition. However, internal scandals and the implementation of democratic reforms led to its ousting in 2000. While the PRI has returned occasionally as a major player, it has never regained its former hegemonic status. For more on its fall, see NPR.
The African National Congress (ANC) led the anti-apartheid struggle and Nelson Mandela’s rise, ruling South Africa from 1994 onwards. However, corruption scandals, governance issues, and economic troubles have diminished its popularity, risking a more competitive political future. It remains a key power but has lost dominance. Learn more at Reuters.
Founded by Charles de Gaulle, the Gaullist movement, known by various names, dominated post-war French politics. Its conservative-nationalist stances shaped the Fifth Republic. However, identity crises and new rivals led to its decline by the 2000s. For more on Gaullism’s evolution, see France 24.
Established in 1948, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) was a pivotal force in post-war German politics, often serving as a coalition partner to both the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD). Its classical liberal agenda emphasized individualism, free economic competition, and social reform. The FDP’s influence peaked in 2009, securing 14.6% of the national vote and forming a coalition government with the CDU/CSU. However, internal conflicts and policy disagreements led to its withdrawal from the coalition in 2013, resulting in a significant decline in support. By 2025, the FDP faced a major political crisis following internal plans to break from Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s governing coalition, leading to public outrage and a loss of credibility among its core voters. This turmoil culminated in the 2025 federal elections, where the FDP failed to enter the Bundestag, marking a dramatic shift in Germany’s political landscape. (lemonde.fr)
The People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) seized power in 1978, ruling Afghanistan with Soviet backing during a tumultuous era of reform and conflict. The Soviet withdrawal and civil war shattered its rule, ultimately ushering in the Taliban era. The party dissolved and vanished from Afghan politics. More at Encyclopedia Britannica.
Formed in 1910, the Unionist Party was the dominant pro-British group in early South Africa, influencing segregationist policy and the economy. Merged into the South African Party by 1934, it is now largely forgotten. For a thorough history, see South African History Online.
Dominant for much of Canada’s 20th century, the Progressive Conservative Party (PC) played a pivotal role in shaping modern Canada. Internal divisions and the rise of regional parties led to their 2003 collapse, merging into today’s Conservative Party. Their legacy endures in contemporary policy debates. (britannica.com)
The Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) ruled East Germany from 1946 until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, enforcing a socialist regime under Soviet influence. (en.wikipedia.org) Its rapid demise after popular unrest marked the end of one-party dominance in the region. Some former SED politicians remain active in modern parties, but the SED is history. More at DW.
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