Comparative approaches: US vs UK Democarcy Flashcards
Party systems in the uk
Two and a half party system in the commons
multi-party system in elections
More representation of regional parties like SNP, Plaid Cymru
party systems in the us
Democrats and Republicans hold near 100% of elected office
same parties stand throughout country
party unity in the uk
more united as exec and leg are more connected and leader of the largest part is the PM
divided on policy like EU relations, immigration
Right wing policy profile of the UK
CONSERVATIVE PARTY
more central than republicans eg support gay marriage and NHS
see limited gov is more beneficial to individual freedom
party unity in the us
More fragmented as there is no clear party leader except the Pres
Diff representation across the branches of gov
far more factions, with central and radical support within each party
Right wing party profile of the US
REPUBLICAN PARTY
more rigid to change based on rights eg reject free healthcare
see limited gov as benefitting freedom
Left wing party profile in the UK
LABOUR PARTY
more liberal to rights with the intro of FoI and the equality act
More central in terms of econ policy
Left wing party profile of the US
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
helped pass the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act in the 60s
more left wing on econ and social policies
Party funding in the UK
no limit to individual donations but large donations are made public
campaigns have a limit of £30k per candidate
Party funding in the US
Max donation limits to parties, superPACS have complicated that
No limit to spend eg Trump spent $250M on his pres campaign
PG impact in the UK
less access points. mostly limited to gov ministers
stronger party discipline so leg agenda is set and PGs have limited impact
PG impact in the US
more access points for PGs due to SoP
Politicians have more influene over the agenda as there is no clear party leader
