EOY12

Question 1

Does PM have too much power? (Opinion)

Answer 1

Yes

Question 2

Reasons PM does not have too much power points?

Answer 2

• PM has to balance their cabinet and so don’t have free reign with power of patronage
• PM’s power can be undermined by internal (within own party) and external (public opinion, media) factors

Question 3

Reasons PM has too much power?

Answer 3

• Power of patronage and dominance over cabinet (authoritative cabinet styles and ministerial responsibility)
• With a majority they have freedom to pursue their legislation without any real challenges

Question 4

Do voting systems make significant differences to party representation?

Answer 4

No. Same ones no matter what.

Question 5

Reasons that voting systems don’t make significant difference to party representation?

Answer 5

• England Wales and Scotland the main party is the same despite voting system, the second and third biggest parties are all similar
• None of them mean that the parties fully reflect or represent the people as none of the voting systems are truly proportional representation (not FPTP, AMS, STV or SV)

Question 6

Reasons that voting systems make a difference to party representation?

Answer 6

• Certain systems (STV) allow representation of smaller parties and independents marginally more
• STV has a unique role in allowing fair representation of Republican and Unionist parties in the delicate political system of NI and NI assembly

Question 7

Do socialists conflict in their views on management of the economy?

Answer 7

Yes. ‘Socialism’ is a broad spectrum with revolutionary socialists on the left and third way towards centre. The issue they differ most on is possibly the economy.

Question 8

Reasons that socialists agree on operation of the economy?

Answer 8

• Most socialists agree that there should be some degree of state planning and intervention in the economy. Not unchecked capitalism. This is vital to achieve equality and social justice (Crossland, Marx + Engels)
• Most socialists agree that the economy is a key determiner in the function of the rest of society. (Marx + Engels, Webb, Crossland, Giddens)

Question 9

Reasons that socialists disagree more on the operation of the economy?

Answer 9

• Revolutionary socialists believe a revolution is needed to bring about aforementioned state control and economic reform, others believe in democracy (Marx + Engels, Luxemburg vs Webb and Crossland)
• Revolutionary socialists believe in the abolition of capitalism as it is doomed, evolutionary socialists believe in working with the existing system and managing it better for the good of the group. (Marx + Engels, Luxemburg vs Crossland, Giddens)