Chapter 2 - Principles of political parties (NOT FINAL) Flashcards
What is the working definition of a political party?
An organisation of people with similar political values and views that develops goals and aims for government power.
What are the three features of political parties?
- The members of parties share political views.
- Parties put up candidates in elections and seek power.
- They have some sort of method for developing policy, recruiting candidates, and identifying leaders.
What are policies?
A set of intentions developed by parties or government.
When a party is in power, what is its policy-making function the same as?
The policy-making function of government.
When do the general membership of a party have the most influence on policy generation?
When the party is in opposition.
What is the policy-making function of parties sometimes known as?
Aggregation
What does aggregation involve?
Converting policies, demands, and ideas into practical government programmes.
What is the representative function of political parties?
They claim ensure that all groups in society have their interests and demands considered by government.
Who do populist parties claim to represent?
People who do not feel they are represented at all.
What is populism?
An appeal to people’s emotions.
In what area do local constituency parties have the greatest part to play within political parties?
Selecting candidates for office at all levels.
What are the 5 different levels that local constituency parties select candidates for?
- Local councillors.
- Elected mayors.
- Devolved assemblies.
- Scottish Parliament.
- UK Parliament.
What are the 7 functions of political parties?
- Making policy
- Representation
- Selecting candidates
- Identifying leaders
- Organising elections
- Political elections
- Reinforcing consent
What was the problem of party leadership in the Labour Party in 2015?
After the Party’s election defeat and Miliband’s resignation, Corbyn was elected by the Party membership. Labour MPs, however, saw him as too far left and did not accept him as their leader.
When was Jeremy Corbyn elected leader of the Labour Party/
September 2015
What role do parties play at election times apart from selecting candidates?
- Publicising elections issues.
- Persuading people to vote.
- Encouraging participation through campaigning.
- Representatives of parties are present at vote counts to ensure it is fair.
What is the ‘hidden’ function of the main political parties?
By operating in and supporting the political system of the UK, parties ensure the general population consents to the system. Political parties that challenge the basis of the political system are seen as extremist.
What is central to the relationship between the electorate, parties, and government?
The doctrine of the mandate.
What is a mandate?
The consent granted to a political party at election time by the electorate, giving legitimacy to all the winning party’s manifesto commitments.
What are the 5 significant elements of the mandate doctrine?
- The electorate knows what they are consenting to.
- The winning party gains legitimacy for its policies.
- Government can be held to account.
- Electors can judge the performance of the government.
- MPs of the governing party are bound by the manifesto when voting in Parliament.
What are the 3 problems with the mandate doctrine?
- It depends on a single party winning outright.
- Electors may not agree with everything in a manifesto.
- Circumstances may change after a party takes power.
What are the 6 ways parties are funded?
- Membership subscriptions
- Fundraising events (conferences and dinners)
- Donations
- Loans
- Self-financing of candidates
- £2 million grant per party from the Electoral Commission
How much did the Labour Party receive in donations from trade unions in 2014-15?
£11 million - 60% of its total income.
What Act placed regulations of the funding of political parties?
Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act
