2.1 The Functions And Features Of Political Parties Flashcards
What is a representative democracy, and how does it function in the UK?
The UK is a representative democracy, meaning that citizens elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to make decisions on their behalf. MPs are held accountable through regular general elections.
How have political parties influenced British politics since the English Civil War?
Since the English Civil War, most MPs have been part of political parties, which structure political debate and competition. Voters typically choose candidates from these parties, which represent a range of political ideas categorized along the left-right political spectrum.
What is a party system?
A party system describes how political power is distributed among different political parties. It can be:
- A one-party system, where one party dominates.
- A multi-party system, where multiple parties share power.
- A two-party system, where two main parties dominate.
- A two-and-a-half-party system, where two main parties dominate, but a smaller party occasionally holds enough influence to affect decisions.
What type of party system does the UK have?
Traditionally, the UK has been a two-party system, dominated by the Conservative Party and the Labour Party. However, in recent years, it has shifted toward a two-and-a-half-party system, where smaller parties like the Liberal Democrats or regional parties (e.g., the Scottish National Party, SNP) sometimes influence power, especially during coalition governments.
What are left-wing political ideas in the UK?
1) A strong role for the government in reducing inequality.
2) A collectivist society, prioritizing community well-being over individualism.
3) Higher taxation on the wealthy to fund public services.
4) Close ties with trade unions, which represent the economic interests of the working class.
5) Multiculturalism and respect for diverse lifestyles.
What are right-wing political ideas in the UK?
1) Individual control over life, limiting government intervention.
2) A free-market economy with minimal government regulation.
3) Lower taxes to encourage economic growth.
4) Limited influence of trade unions to ensure market efficiency.
5) Social conservatism, emphasizing traditional values and national identity.
How do left-wing and right-wing economic policies differ?
- Left-wing policies promote higher taxes, a strong welfare state, and government control over industries.
- Right-wing policies advocate for lower taxes, free-market competition, and privatization of industries to increase efficiency.
What is the difference between left-wing and right-wing views on trade unions?
- Left-wing politicians support trade unions as they represent workers’ rights and the economic interests of the working class.
- Right-wing politicians seek to limit union influence, arguing that it interferes with the smooth operation of the market.
How do left-wing and right-wing politics differ on social issues?
- Left-wing politics supports multiculturalism, equal rights, and progressive social policies.
- Right-wing politics is more socially conservative, prioritizing traditional values, national identity, and law and order.
What is a political party?
A political party is an organization made up of members who share similar political beliefs or ideology. While members may not agree on every issue, they generally align on key principles such as economic policies, social values, and governance.
How do different factions exist within political parties?
Political parties contain factions—groups with different interpretations of the party’s ideology.
• Example: Within the Conservative Party, some right-wing members favor low taxes and minimal government, while others (like Boris Johnson’s government) have supported tax increases for public spending.
What is nationalization, and why do left-wing politicians support it?
Nationalization means government ownership of key industries (e.g., healthcare, railways, energy). Left-wing politicians support it because:
• It ensures public access to essential services. • It prevents profit-driven exploitation by private companies. • It helps reduce economic inequality.
What is privatization, and why do right-wing politicians support it?
Privatization means selling government-owned industries to private companies. Right-wing politicians support it because:
• Competition forces businesses to become more efficient. • It reduces government spending. • It encourages innovation and economic growth.
How do right-wing and left-wing politicians view taxation?
- Left-wing politicians believe in higher taxes for the wealthy to fund public services.
- Right-wing politicians advocate for lower taxes to encourage investment and economic growth.
How has the two-and-a-half-party system affected UK politics?
• It has allowed smaller parties (like the Liberal Democrats and SNP) to influence policy and even participate in government (e.g., the 2010 Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition).
• It has challenged the dominance of Labour and Conservatives.
What is fascism?
Fascism is a political system where a powerful leader controls the government and often the entire country. It emphasizes strong nationalism, strict obedience, and limited personal freedoms. Fascist governments control people’s lives closely and often use force to maintain order.
What are key features of fascist governments?
• Authoritarian leadership: A single, powerful leader holds complete control.
• Extreme nationalism: The nation is prioritized over individual freedoms.
• Suppression of opposition: Dissenting views are often banned, and free speech is restricted.
• Use of force: Police and military are used to maintain strict control over society.
What are historical examples of fascist governments?
• Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler (1933-1945) – Extreme nationalism, dictatorship, and suppression of opposition.
• Italy under Benito Mussolini (1922-1943) – Centralized authoritarian rule, strong nationalism, and militarism.
Is fascism widely practiced today?
No, fascism is not widely practiced as a government system today. While some governments may show authoritarian tendencies, few explicitly follow fascist ideology.
What is communism?
Communism is a political and economic system where the government owns and controls all property and businesses. The goal is to eliminate private ownership and create a society where wealth and resources are shared equally.
How does communism work in theory versus practice?
• In theory – Communism aims to create a classless society where everyone is equal.
• In practice – Communist governments often have strong state control, which can lead to limited personal freedoms and economic inefficiencies
What are key features of communist governments?
• Government control of economy: The state owns businesses, land, and industries.
• Elimination of private property: No individual ownership of land or major resources.
• Wealth redistribution: Resources are distributed equally among citizens.
• Authoritarian rule: Communist governments often maintain strict political control.
What are examples of communist governments?
• The Soviet Union (1917-1991) – First major communist state, led by the Communist Party.
• China (since 1949) – Communist rule under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
• North Korea (since 1948) – A heavily state-controlled society under a communist dictatorship.
What is adversary politics?
Adversary politics is when political parties strongly oppose each other, often having conflicting ideologies and policies with little room for compromise.
What are the key features of adversary politics?
• Strong opposition between parties – Parties present very different policies and ideas.
• Minimal cooperation – There is little willingness to compromise on major issues.
• Election-focused – Parties aim to highlight their differences to gain voter support.
What are historical examples of adversary politics in the UK?
1980s – Labour vs. Conservatives
• Labour leader Michael Foot (1980-83) supported socialism. • Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (1979-1990) pursued free-market capitalism.
What is consensus politics?
Consensus politics occurs when political parties agree on broad policy goals and cooperate, even if they have some differences in approach.
What are the key features of consensus politics?
• More cooperation – Parties work together on important issues.
• Compromise on policies – Policies reflect common ground between major parties.
• Focus on shared goals – Rather than extreme differences, parties emphasize solutions.
What are historical examples of consensus politics in the UK?
1994-2007 – Tony Blair’s Labour Party
• Blair adopted free-market policies and low taxation, ideas traditionally associated with the Conservative Party.
What is the role of political parties in selecting candidates?
Political parties pick candidates to run in local, regional, mayoral, and general elections. To run in a general election, a person must:
1. Be a party member and pass a selection process (to prove they are qualified). 2. Apply to represent a specific area (called a constituency). 3. Be approved by the local branch of the party—this means party members in that area vote or decide who they think has the best chance of winning votes.
If the candidate wins the election, they become an MP in the House of Commons. However, if the local party disagrees with their views or thinks someone else would be a better candidate, they may choose a new person to run in the next election.
Give an example of a candidate being removed by their party? (Sam Tarry - Labour)
• Sam Tarry, a Labour MP, was removed by his local party after clashing with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
• He was sacked from his role after supporting a rail workers’ strike, which the Labour leadership had not officially backed.
• This shows how local party members can replace MPs if they believe they do not represent the party’s best interests.
Give an example of a coalition government in the UK?
2010 Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition
• No party won a majority in the 2010 general election.
• The Conservative Party (David Cameron) and Liberal Democrats (Nick Clegg) formed a coalition to govern together.
• This meant members from both parties shared government roles and had to agree on policies.
This shows how coalitions work when no party wins outright.
How do political parties elect a leader?
• In the Conservative Party, MPs shortlist two candidates, and party members vote for the winner.
• In the Labour Party, candidates need 10% of Labour MPs’ support before party members vote.
However, in some cases, a leader can be chosen without a vote if other candidates drop out or if MPs unite behind one person
Example of a leader being elected by party members?
• Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak were the final candidates.
• Conservative Party members voted, and Truss won with 57% of the vote.
• However, she resigned after 44 days, and another leadership race followed.
Example of a leader being chosen without a party vote?
• After Liz Truss resigned, Conservative MPs quickly supported Rishi Sunak.
• Other candidates, including Boris Johnson, dropped out, meaning there was no need for a vote among party members.
• Sunak became Prime Minister automatically.
This shows how leadership elections can sometimes skip a member vote when MPs agree on a single candidate.
What is policy formulation, and how do parties create their manifesto?
• A manifesto is a document of promises a party makes before an election.
• In the Labour Party, the National Policy Forum works with members to shape policies.
• In the Conservative Party, members are consulted, but senior leaders make final decisions.
• Liberal Democrats & Green Party allow regular members to decide manifesto policies.
Example of manifesto policies leading to government action?
• In 2019, Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party promised to “Get Brexit Done”.
• After winning the general election, his government passed laws to take the UK out of the EU.
• This shows how an election victory gives a party a mandate to carry out its promises.
What is a mandate, and why is it important?
• A party that wins a majority in a general election has a mandate (authority) to carry out its manifesto promises.
• If no party wins a majority, a coalition or minority government is formed, and the mandate is less clear.
• A “doctor’s mandate” allows a government to make decisions on unexpected issues, such as emergencies.
Example of a government using a “doctor’s mandate”?
• The Conservative government (Boris Johnson, 2019 election winner) had not promised lockdowns or furlough schemes in their manifesto.
• However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government introduced emergency laws.
• This is an example of a doctor’s mandate, where new policies are needed to respond to unexpected events.
What role do political parties play in campaigning?
• Parties run election campaigns to convince voters to support them.
• Members knock on doors, hand out leaflets, and speak to voters.
• Social media is now a key part of campaigning.
• Campaigning helps inform voters and increase political engagement.
How do political parties provide representation?
• Political parties give voters a voice by representing different views.
• In 2019, 75.7% of voters supported either the Conservative (43.6%) or Labour (32.1%) Party.
• Smaller parties also represent minority views in elections.
Example of how smaller parties benefit from proportional representation?
Scottish National Party (SNP) Success in Scottish Elections
• Scotland uses proportional representation, which gives smaller parties a better chance of winning seats. • In 2021, the SNP won 64 seats in the Scottish Parliament, even though they would have won fewer under the UK’s First-Past-the-Post system. • This shows how different electoral systems impact party representation.
How do political parties mobilize consent for government?
• Without parties, it would be difficult to form effective governments.
• If every MP acted independently, passing laws would be chaotic.
• Parties create organized groups of politicians who share similar views, making governance smoother.
How do political parties help hold governments accountable?
Opposition parties challenge and question the actions of the government, ensuring scrutiny and transparency. Individual MPs alone lack the power to hold the government to account as effectively as an organized opposition party.
Example of opposition parties holding the government accountable?
• In 2020, Labour and other opposition parties challenged Boris Johnson’s handling of COVID-19, forcing government policy reviews and debates.
• The Leader of the Opposition (currently Keir Starmer) regularly questions the Prime Minister in Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) to highlight government failures.
How do political parties limit voter choice?
Voters must pick a party’s entire package of policies, even if they disagree with certain policies.
Example: In 2017, Labour voters who opposed nationalization had to accept it as part of the party’s manifesto.
Why would democracy be chaotic without political parties?
• Without parties, each MP would act independently, making it difficult to form stable governments.
• Political parties group politicians with similar views, allowing for clear governance and decision-making.
How do political parties reduce independent thinking in Parliament?
MPs often have to follow the party line instead of voting based on their personal judgment.
Example: Benjamin Disraeli criticized party loyalty by saying, “Stick to your principles.”
How do political parties help voters make informed choices?
• Parties publish manifestos outlining their policies, allowing voters to compare plans.
• This helps voters understand what each party stands for before casting their vote.
How do political parties create a confrontational environment?
• Parties often focus on their differences, making politics more about conflict than cooperation.
• This leads to less unity in government and can slow down decision-making.
How do political parties prevent unqualified candidates from gaining power?
Parties vet candidates to ensure they have experience and credibility.
• Without parties, wealthy individuals could fund their own campaigns and gain power without proper qualifications.
How do political parties structure parliamentary work?
Parties provide an organized system for lawmaking, ensuring debates and decision-making follow a clear structure.
Without parties, parliamentary work would be disorganized, making governance much harder.
How are UK political parties funded?
• Public funding (e.g., Short Money, Cranborne Money).
• Private donations from individuals, businesses, and trade unions.
• Membership fees from party supporters.
What is Short Money, and why is it important?
• Short Money is government funding given to opposition parties in the House of Commons to help them scrutinize the government.
• The Leader of the Opposition receives an additional £800,000 to run their office.
How does private funding create unfair advantages?
• Wealthy individuals or businesses can donate large sums to influence politics.
• Example: In the 2019 election, the Conservative Party received 63% of all donations, mostly from big businesses.
Example of private donations influencing party funding?
• Brexit Party (2019) received £4.2 million from a few rich donors.
• Labour received 93% of its funding from trade unions, raising concerns that unions influence Labour policies.
What rules regulate party funding in the UK?
The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 introduced transparency measures:
1. The Electoral Commission tracks all party funding. 2. £30,000 spending limit per constituency during elections. 3. Large donations over £7,500 must be registered.
These rules help reduce unfair financial advantages but don’t eliminate them completely.
What was the Cash for Honours scandal, and why did it cause controversy?
• In 2006-07, there were allegations that Labour donors were given House of Lords seats in return for large donations.
• This led to public anger and calls for state funding to reduce corruption.
• Tony Blair ordered an investigation, leading to the Phillips Report.
What were the main recommendations of the Phillips Report (2007)?
- Political parties should be mainly funded by taxpayer money.
- Donations from individuals and groups should be limited to £50,000.
However, these recommendations were never implemented due to opposition from major parties.
What are the arguments for state funding of political parties?
- Ensures fairer elections by reducing reliance on big donors.
- Helps smaller parties compete, making democracy more equal.
- Reduces the risk of corruption and undue influence.
- Increases transparency and trust in politics.
What are the arguments against state funding of political parties?
- Taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to fund parties they don’t support.
- Parties already raise money through donations and memberships.
- It could make parties too dependent on the government, reducing their independence.
- State funding wouldn’t necessarily change election results, as seen in 2019 when the Brexit Party spent £4.15 million but won no seats.
Example of a party succeeding without high spending?
Scottish National Party (SNP) in 2019
• The SNP spent far less than larger parties but still won 48 seats in Parliament. • This shows that money isn’t always the deciding factor in elections.
