12 markers Flashcards
What are three similarities in party systems?
-Election Outcomes entrench two party
-FPTP creates safe seats/incumbency
-Co-option of policy (stealing)
Examples for similarities of party systems from election outcomes
Entrenches two party system
UK - 2019 75% vote for main two, 2024 533/560 seats to Con&Lab (82%)
US - 2024 All ECV Trump&Harris, All House Rep&Dem
Examples for similarities of party systems from FPTP
Encourages safe seats/higher incumbency
UK - 2024 Reform 14% vote, only 5 seats
US - 2024 95% incumbency in Congress
Examples for similarities of party systems from co-option of policy
Main two parties steal policy from smaller or eachother to win support
UK - Libdems proposed windfall tax on oil/gas that Lab took, Cons took UKIP’s ref on Brexit
US - Harris claimed she would remove taxes on tips for workers after Trump outlined policy
What are three differences in party systems?
-Devolved regions vs minor parties limited success
-Minor party success national level vs minor party lack in congress
-Media vs PACs funding
Examples for differences in party systems for minor parties locally
Devolved regions significant success contrasts limited success in state legislatures in US
UK - SNP largest party in Holyrood since 2007, Sinn Fein 27/90 seats in NI
US - Green party around 150 elected in state legislatures but none at federal lvl
Examples for differences in party systems for minor parties nationally
Success nationally in UK compared to lack of for US
UK - SNP 56/59 Westminster seats 2015, 2024 Reform 5, Green 4 (both record high)
US - Most successful arguable Nadar in 2000 split liberal vote and led to Gore win (took 2.7% vote)
Examples for differences in party systems for media
Importance for minor parties vs PAC spending
UK - 2019+2024 TV debates between all minor parties, given equal access to broadcast advertising
US - 2024 $1.35b spent on online ads alone, media paid for by PACs usually supporting main two parties
Three similarities/differences of powers of the SC
(Same themes)
-Basis of power
-Independence
-Judicial Review
Examples for similarities in SC for basis of power and name a theory
Both permanent features from their sovereign bodies
UK - CRA2005 but previously law lords
US - Article 3 from constitution
Cultural - accept rule of law as key feature of democracy to keep rulers accountable
Examples for similarities in SC for judicial independence
Both are geographically separate with security of pay and tenure, so able to interpret independently
UK - 2023 Rwanda plan ruled unlawful despite will of gov
US - Dobbs v Jackson went against public opinion
Examples for similarities in SC for judicial review
Both have power of judicial review
UK - Miller v PM ultra vires for unlawfully proroguing Parl
US - Student loan forgiveness plan struck down, Trump EO to remove birthright citizenship to immigrants challenged
Examples for difference in SC for basis of power and name a theory
UK at the will of Parl while US derives from constitution itself
UK - CRA2005 can be amended and right wing con aim to leave ECHR so can no longer interpret
US - Interprets from constitution not statute so challenges more (US v Windsor stuck down DOMA due to 14th amendment infringed)
Structural - US stems from document while UK adheres to parl
Examples for difference in SC for judicial independence and name a theory
US appointments political while UK neutral from JAC
UK - Miller v Exiting EU Sec challenges from law not politics
US - 2024 6-3 Con majority ruled Trump immunity from prosecution
Cultural - US partisan infighting while UK experienced based
Examples for differences in SC for judicial review and name a theory
US can strike down laws but not UK
UK - Parl is sov, DoI only advisory, Asylum (SoR) Act 2024 declared safe despite unlawful ruling
US - Shelby v Holder struck parts of Voting Right Act 1965
Structural - difference in which is sov (Constitution v Parl)
