Chapter 2 - UK political parties in context - final Flashcards
What is a party system?
The features of a political system in relation to the parties that operate within it.
What is a one-party system?
A system where one party operates.
What is a dominant-party system?
A system where parties can operate freely but only one party has a realistic chance of gaining power.
What is a two-party system?
A system where only two parties have a realistic chance of forming a government.
What is a three-party system?
This is usually when two parties dominant the share of seats available but do not gain enough to win an overall majority. A third, smaller party therefore must form a coalition, giving them a disproportionate amount of power.
What is a multi-party system?
A system where four (not three) or more parties operate.
What 3 countries have a one-party system?
- China
- Cuba
- North Korea
What country has a dominant-party system?
Scotland
What countries have a two-party system?
- USA
- Australia
What country has a three-party system?
Ireland
What countries have a multi-party system/
- Italy
- Germany
What sort of system is the UK in terms of seats?
Two-party
What sort of system is the UK in terms of votes?
Multi-party
What sort of system does the UK have a local council elections?
Multi-party system, with Labour gaining the most seats across English local councils.
What four reasons do small parties fail in elections?
- They lack funding.
- The electoral system discriminates against them.
- They lack media exposure.
- People consider voting for them as a wasted vote.
What six qualities do voters prefer in a party leader and, therefore, a potential prime minister?
- Experience
- Decisiveness
- Media image
- Ability to lead
- Intelligence
- Apparent honesty
What was Theresa May before she ran for prime minister, and for how long?
Home Secretary for 6 years.
What percentage increase did Theresa May win in 2017?
5.5%
What did Theresa May’s vote percentage increase lead to in 2017?
A decrease of seats by 13!
What three factors help parties to electoral success?
- Leadership
- Unity
- Media image
What does research suggest about newspapers and the way people vote?
Newspapers tend to reinforce existing political affiliations rather than change voters’ minds.
Who did the Sun support in the 2017 general election?
Conservative Party
How many Sun newspaper readers voted for the party they supported in the 2017 general election?
Just 39% voted for the Conservatives who The Sun supported.
Who did the Guardian support in the 2017 general election?
Labour
What percentage of Guardian readers voted for the party they supported in the 2017 general election?
50% voted for Labour, who the Guardian supported.
Who did the majority of parties support in the 2017 general election and what was the outcome?
They tended to support the Conservative Party but a Labour resurgence occurred and the Tories lost their majority.
