4-political Parties Flashcards
Political parties
Organisations with a formal membership
Put up candidates for election
Largely united by a shared ideological identity
How parties promote democracy
Effective functioning of rep democracy- united simlar views collated in one party
Opp parties hold the governering party to account
Develop coherent political programmes and manifestos- clear choice increases turout
Opportunity for participation- membership, campaigning, consultation, leadership, candidate selection
How political parties undermine democracy
Decrease voter choice- unlikely to fully rep voters views
Sometimes range of policeies narrow- little real choice0- more choice in 2015, 2017, 2019
Stifle parliamentry denate- whips enforcing party discipline
Issues oversimplified - esp 2019 brxit- pubilc disillusionment meant less likely to vote leading to low turnout
Parties sometimes unrep- gap between views of elected party policies and broader electorate/party supporters- eg, con and ld in coalition not rep ld
Need to raise large sums of money- party accused of giving favours in return for large donations- ‘cash for honours’ ‘cash for access’, unions and labbour
Main two parties dominate fundraising does not create a level playing fild
Some parties extremist ant parliamentary or anti democratic policies- socilaist partiees, bnp
Restrictions on political parties can spend during campaigns
Political parties, elections and referendums act 2000
Establish electoral commission to monitor electoral spending
Limit how much spend in a constituency- 54k,
Ban donations from abroad- no russian
Declare any donations over 7.5k
Max fine 20k if spending rules broken
Etv political parties in uk should be funded by the state
Loa- no
In uk- political parteies raise funds from donations
2019 ge ober 30mill donations, most con
Av donation oevr 70k
Argument if undemocratic and unfair to smaller parties in current arrangemnts
More democracti
Level playing field
Practical and popular
State funded political parties- more democratic yes
Reduce influence of ‘big money’
End fear wealthy an influential too much power
Lord bamford jcb donate over 3mill to con
Ty for labour
Cause ‘cash for honours’
Thik tank open democracy 2019- 1/5 con dondors recieved honors and titles
State funded political parties- more democratic- no
Undemocratic to prevent people donating moey to the party they support0– against basic rights to support a cause believe in
State funding disconnect parties from their supporters and higher levels of mistrust and apathy amog voters
Measures to regulate- all significant donations declared- made moere accessible with foi- westminster accounst sku
State funded political parties- more elevel playing field- yes
Smaller party cant compete- smaller donations
2019- of 20 mill to parties, over 60% to con
More level playng field- not the case- state funding politicla parties
Does money help in results
No ld 2019 spent more than labour- but seats fel from 12 to 11
Diff to allocate funds fairly- most likely on size and support- till an imbalance
Practicality and popularity- yes- state funding political parties
Relatively easy to introduce
Some state. Funding already takes place- ‘short money’ for opp party to support policy business and research
Practical and popular- state funded political parteis- no
Not good way to spend taxpayer money
Unpopular with electorate
Traditional conservatievs
From english civil war- royalists support status quo- feared parliamentary power
Hobbes- strong gov needed to control cities and aoid anarchy
Burke- pragmatism and respect authority and tradition
19th century association:
Tradition- respect monarchy and church, stability and strong gov, pragmatism, protection of property
One nation conservatives
Disraeli- prooposed more inclusive and progressive form of conservatism- party protect interests of whole nation not jst rich and powerful
Mixed economy
Welfare state important
Similar to new right on law and rder- harsh
Bill of rights
Assertive and firm line on foreign policy- euroskepiticism
New right
Thatcherism
Free market, privatisation, cut taxes
Less state intervention, less public spending on welfare,
Authority ,tough on crime
Assertive, firm line (faulklands) euroskeptic
Cameron con aproach
Pragmatism rather than ideological
No liberal- low tax and reduce deficit
More tolerant- gay marriage
Boris approach
One nation
More tolerant attitude with social affairs
Elements neo lib and neo con
Truss approach
New right policy on economy
Neolib recent policies
Lowe tax to encourage growth
Aim to reduce deficit- austerity
2019 manifesto commitmnet not to increase vat
Neo con approach recently
Cut immigration and brexit- patriotism, natinoal strength
Strong national security, defence, law and order (locking on bill)
Further lords reform- oppose
2019 greater stop and search power to police
One nation policies recent years
Gay marriage
National livibg wage
2019 5bn new social care package
How influential thaterism and new right on modern con party- themes
Econ welfare
Law and order
Foreign policy
Old labour
Established 1900- rep working class
Compromise bwteen democratic socialist (idea capitalism inevitably and gradually replaced by socialsm) and social democracy (faiere society will be achieved by reforming the capitalistic system
Old labour policies
Nationalisation- clause 4
High tax on rich
Social equality- fainess
Nhs high spending
Cradle to grave
Generous welfare benefits
Optimum rehabilitation over punishment- less harsh law and order
Foreign policy- anti imperislsm
Anti war- more pacifist
Anti nuclear weapons
New labour
Gradually under kinnock bbut finalised under blair
Influenced by giddens ‘third way0’ socialism and capitalism compromise
Remove claus 4, less redistribution of ewealth
More busienss friendly, lower corperation tax
Nhs, education spending
Introudction of tuition fees
Tough on crime and law and order- asbos
Loved eu- echr, ecj, hra
Iraq war and afghanistan
Enabler rather than provider- tuition fees
Tradition lib dems
Established 1985- mergd from labs and sdp
Origional liberal party 19th century- deominant - associate with free trade, lower taxes, balanced budgets and palriamentary reform
Beginning 20th centry- move towards modern liberalism- old age pensions
Orange book liberals
Liberal wing of lib dems
Social democratic wing of lib dems
Eg tim farron
Social justice, neo lib apporach econ
Many ld coalition reluctant
Lib dems modern day
Emphasise social justice, raise taxes to increase public spending- 2019- increase income tax by 1p to increase spending nhs
Support welfare system- 2017 manifesto- free school emals all primary school children
Multinaional approach to guide poliy, pro eu- manifesto pledge to stop brexit 2019
Respect and support echr and protection hr
20019 commitment to take in more unaccompanied refugee children
Liebrtarian apporach- 2019 manifesto commitment to legalise cannabis
Support palriamentary and constitutional reform- pr westminster and further devolution
Snp history
Establish 1934
V succesfful due to fptpp, conc support
2015 566/569 seats westmintser, 50% vote
2019 3rd biggest party with 48 seats, 45% vote
Influence with snp-] opp vote to brexit and austerity-
2014 independnece ref- 55% no
Snp policies
Indyref2- 2019 comm ask uk gov ref on indepndence in 2020
Further devolution
End austerity
Scrap trident
Tackle climate emergency- 2019 manifesto to reform of the tax system to encourage ‘greener choices
Support ey membership
Green party history
Launched 1985
Limited success due to fptp- 2010 carolien lucas brighton pavillion, 2019 3% vote , 1 seat
More seats in euu and devoled bodies under use of pr
Kept environmental isssues on agenda