Ch 7: Participation and Democracy Flashcards
Define political party
an organised group that seeks to achieve representation in parliament and to exert influence or control over the machinery of government bia the electoral process. They play an important role in democracy by mobilising poltiical interests,developing parliamentary leadership skills, as a means of peacefully resolving political conflict
What are the functions of political parties?
- allow for the peaceful expression of social conflict and political division. This is important both within parties (providing for the compromises needed to develop common party policy) and between parties in the wider political system
- allow for political participation. They mobilise support, recruit members, select leaders and organise election campaigns. In the process parties reinforce commitment to the political system
- control government – successful parties can implement a legislative program while unsuccessful parties in opposition provide scrutiny of the elected government
- express alternate sets of values and translate these into the policies that are presented to the people in elections
What are cadre and mass parties?
cadre party: created in parliament and are held together as much by the personalities of leading politicians as by any significant agreement over policy. Very limited extra-parliamentary organisation, consisting mainly of temporary committees created to fight elections i.e. Nationalists and the United Australia Party
mass party: express the political interests of a wide social group. They are created outside parliament and base their policies on the views of the broad party membership. Candidates are selected as delegates to represent the interests of the membership in parliament i.e. ALP and Country Party originated as mass parties
What are major parties?
political parties that can achieve a majority/near majority of seats in the House of Representatives and form govt. or opp. Characteristics include broad support base (50% of vote after preferences to win any electorate), organisational capacity to contest all or most seats, wide-ranging philosophy and a comprehensive set of policies i.e. Australian Labour Party
What are minor parties?
parties that do not have the broad support base required to win sufficient lower house seats in a general election for form government or opposition and aim to achieve parliamentary representation to influence the legislative agenda. Often are primarily associated with specific policy areas (Greens-wide/thinly dispersed support across the electorate) or represent the views of a minority in the population (National Party-regional concentration of support). Generally focus on a more limited no. of policy objectives and are supported by a smaller proportion of the community. Minor parties can wield power in parliament by holding the balance of power (greens) or by forming a coalition with other parties (nationals). Normally those parties normally receiving 5% to 15% support
What are micro parties?
those regularly garnering below the 5% MMP threshold and typically advocate a single issue. They aim to raise the profile of their cause and to exert indirect influence on larger parties (much like pressure groups) i.e. Palmer United Party
Examine examples of each type of political party based on
- support base and organisation
- beliefs and policies
see word document
Define pressure group
an organised group of people who share common interests, attitudes, or beliefs and take deliberate action that is aimed at influencing public policy, either to achieve some changes in policy or administration or support the status quo and prevent change. Pressure groups activities have become a major means of non-violent participation in modern democracies
What is the impact of pressure groups?
- Keep govt. in contact with the electorate – making them aware of people’s views and keep them up to date with changing demands and attitudes
- Articulate views and opinions which the major parties may not wish to endorse
- Allow for more informed discussion
- Effect on election results: target marginal seats, direct supporters to vote in a particular way, provide funds to political parties, parties may have affiliated groups which campaign on their behalf
What are sectional/insider pressure groups?
pressure groups that are based on identifiable sub-groups of society and focus on achieving ‘selective benefits’ for their members (often represent an economic interest). Members generally need to meet certain qualifications and pay membership fees. They generally seek to exert influence through direct contact with decision makers (focusing on the ministry and their advisers) and often have formal links with government and the bureaucracy. They place lower emphasis on building public support i.e. Australian Council of Trade Unions, Australian Medical Association, Australian Law Society
What are promotional/altruistic/ousider pressure groups?
a pressure group formed to promote a community issue. Promotional pressure groups are altruistic or ‘other-interested’, seeking to advance an issue they perceive to be beneficial to the whole community. The establishment of a promotional group advocating one side of an issue often sparks the formation of a group representing the opposing point of view. Promotional pressure group strategies seek to demonstrate their level of community support (methods include letter campaign and direct protest) and therefore influence govt. through the electoral process i.e. Association for the Legal Right to Abortion (WA) and Right to Life (Australia), Get Up
What are hybrid pressure groups?
pressure groups that combine features of both sectional and promotional pressure group types. Pressure groups will use the tactics most likely to achieve success whatever ‘model’ they fit i.e. Returned Serviceman’s League (RSL) or NGOs
What are characteristics of sectional groups?
- permanent or long lasting organisation
- closed groups whose membership is restricted to people of the same background
- reasonably well (or even very well) financed
- ‘insiders’ whose economic/cultural strategic position provides them with direct links with decision-makers
What are characteristics of promotional pressure groups?
- open membership
- absence of formal links with decision makers (outsiders)
- dependnece on active membership rather than on large financial resources
List the key factors in pressure group success
- quality of leadership – including the use of a high profile figurehead
- size of a group’s direct membership and the scale of community support
- level of professionalism in its organisation and planning
- availability of financial resources
- a group’s strategic (generally economic) importance and prestige
What are the competing theories on pressure groups?
