Functions of political parties Flashcards
What are the five main functions of political parties?
1- Providing representation
2- Encouraging participation
3- Engaging in political recruitment
4- Formulating policy
5- Providing stable government
How is providing representation performed effectively?
Parties provide their members with an opportunity to influence politics on a larger scale. Parties allow their members to have a role in candidate selection, selection of party leaders and policy formulation
How is providing representation performed ineffectively?
Different parties provide different levels of engagement for ordinary party members in these areas. For example, individuals have more limited roles in the Conservative Party in the election of leaders and the creation of policy
How is political engagement performed effectively?
Parties produce manifestos in the run up to elections which state what each party would do if they were elected. Viters are expected to read manifestos to influence their decision on who they will vote for
How is political engagement performed ineffectively?
The degree to which parties’ manifestos actually educate the public can be questioned. Also, can be questioned on the level of substance within the manifesto.
Extent of political engagement and participation may be challenged by the amount of people who turn out to vote. ONly 67.3% of voters turned out in 2019
How is political recruitment performed effectively?
Fir example, Labour Party has done a good job in elevating the careers of politicians from working class backgrounds such as Angela Raynor (deputy leader of the Opposition under Starmer)
How is political recruitment performed ineffectively?
Parliament is still predominantly male with 34% being female. also accusations of elitism- Boris cabinet reshuffle in 2021, 60% of cabinet were privately educated.
How is policy formulation performed effectively?
Ordinary party members serve a role in policy formulation to take into account the differing needs of society. This is greater in the Liberal Democrats and Labours than in Conservatives. Conservatives operate a top down model
How is policy formulation performed ineffectively?
Diminished in Labour Party. Conference used to be sovereign for the Labour Party but now diminished. Ed Miliband was seen as the architect behind the Labours 2010 manifesto
How is stable government performed effectively?
Majority of time- single party wins election in the UK providing stable government. In last 10 elections, only 2 have ended with a party not gaining a significant overall majority (2010 and 2017). Means government can effectively pass legislation through the Commons.
How is stable government performed ineffectively?
EG-Challenged in 2017 when Theresa May arranged a confidence and supply agreement with the DUP
