2.3 Parties in context

Question 1

Describe the characteristics of a two-party system:

Answer 1

• Two parties dominate the system, each with a realistic chance of gaining power
• Most likely outcome is that one of the two parties receives a majority
• Government power tends to alternate between the two parties
• Minor parties exist but have low representation

Question 2

Describe the characteristics of a multi-party system:

Answer 2

• More than two parties compete for power and have a realistic chance of gaining significant number of seats
• Most likely outcome is a coalition
• Government power can change after elections
• Distinction between major and minor parties is harder to identify

Question 3

What is a one-party dominant system?

Answer 3

Where one party wins successive elections and remains in power for prolonged periods
Eg Conservative dominance from 1979-1997

Question 4

What is a two and a half party system?

Answer 4

Where two parties continue to dominate but a third party (party smaller than Lab and Cons but larger than others) enjoyed periods of success

Eg Since 1980s with success of Lib Dems
Eg More recently with success of SNPs

Question 5

What 3 factors have contributed to the UK being a two-party system?

Answer 5

- Class based voting dominating the 20th century 
Working class voters identifying with Labour + middle/upper class voters identifying with Conservatives = minor parties cant have an electoral breakthrough due to lack of demographic support

• FPTP making it difficult for minor parties to achieve electoral success
  Minor parties lack concentrated support of main two = minor parties viewed as a ‘wasted vote’
• Lack of state funding for minor parties
  Labour can rely on trade union support and Conservatives can rely on businesses

Question 6

How has the UK been challenged as a two-party system in recent years?

Answer 6

• Lib Dems created a new centrist party with wide appeal that challenged electoral dominance of two main parties
  Eg 1992 = 18% of pop vote, 2010 = 23% of pop vote, coalition in 2010
• SNP had a record 56/59 Scottish seats in Commons + high profile referendum campaign
• Growing partisan dealignment contributed to decline of two parties – voters have voted on specific issues rather than social class