Opposition (Political science)

In politics, the opposition comprises one or more political parties or other organized groups that are opposed to the governing party or group in political control of a city, region, state, country or other political body. The degree of opposition varies according to political conditions. For example, in authoritarian and democratic systems, opposition may be respectively repressed or desired. Members of an opposition generally serve as antagonists to the other parties. Political opposition is generally considered a key aspect of democracy, as the opposition restrains the incumbent government and seeks to enlarge the rights available to those out of power. According to Seymour Martin Lipset, "over time, in both new and revived democracies, conflict between the governing and opposition parties helps establish democratic norms and rules."