Functions of Political parties Flashcards
How do the left view the world economically and socially?
Economic - State planned economy, high government spending, redistribution of wealth through taxation, strong trade unions, protect domestic industries
Social - Welfare state, tolerance of minorities, equal rights, state creates social change, multiculturalism
How do the right view the world economically and socially?
Economic - Free market, little government interference, no state intervention, low taxation, distrust of trade unions
Social - Limited welfare, anti-immigration, stress on traditional and moral values, high patriotism and tough on crime
What are the arguments for parties’ state funding?
1) They play a role in representative democracy, so they deserve public funding.
2) Public funding would remove the great disparity in resources available to different-sized parties.
3) If the state matched donations by party members, it can encourage public participation.
4) It would decrease corruption.
What are the arguments against state funding?
1) Increased state funding could lead to calls for greater state regulation, possibly reducing parties’ influence.
2) It can isolate parties from the voters’ wishes.
3) Taxpayers would resent compulsory contributions to parties of which they disappear.
What are the most important features for a political party?
They have to be organised as they’re organisations with leadership, members and a hierarchical structure.
They must present policies to give the electorate a choice.
Their goal must be to gain power otherwise they serve no purpose.
They must fairly elect suitable candidates.
They must gain public approval.
How are MP’s paid?
General taxation.
What act was passed in 2000 to reform party funding?
The 2000 Political Party, Elections and Referendums Act
What changes did the act include?
1) An independent electoral commission was set up to supervise party spending on election campaigns.
2) £30,000 was the maximum a party could spend within a constituency.
3) £1-5k donations had to be declared and parties had to publish donation details.
4) Donations from individuals not on the UK electoral roll were banned.
