Examine the ways in which the party systems in the USA and UK differ

Question 1

Presence of third parties

Answer 1

• UK has stronger 3rd party presence - arguably a multi-party system
• 2 main parties - in UK - fall well below the near-100 % seats held by Dems and Republicans - 2019 - 87% of seats in Commons - 75% vote share

Question 2

Pendulum effect in UK

Answer 2

• Power typically swinging between Labour and Conservative
• US - common for Dems and Republicans to hold significant power at same time - separation of powers - divided govt - seen in the Obama presidency, for example in which the House and Senate

Question 3

Regional variations in UK

Answer 3

• Third parties dominant force in some regions - e.g. - SNP (Scotland has also experienced Lab-Lib Dem coalitions and majority and minority SNP governments)
• Plaid Cymru - has often had the 2nd-highest number of seats in the Welsh Assembly