parties in context Flashcards
what is a one party system?
where one dominant party has power and dominates, no opposition
what is a two party system?
2 dominant equally matched parties compete for power, other parties have little chance of gaining power
what is a two and a half party system?
distribution of power where a 3rd smaller party can sometimes hold the balance of power between the two more dominant parties
what is a multi party system?
system where power is distributed between multiple parties that all have a large degree of significance
what are the arguments that there is not a multi party system, still 2 party?
-class based voting for Labour + Tories, hard for smaller parties to breakthrough
-periods of one party dominance, Blair, Thatcher
-FPTP- smaller parties underrepresented, Lib Dems support spread
-belief votes for minor parties waste
-lack of funding
-2019- C + L 87.2% seats
what are the arguments in favour of there now being a multiparty system in the UK?
-Lib Dems increased influence pose 1988
-growing class dealignment with parties
-if LD focused on key geographical areas could win seats
-2010 LD coalition, 2017 DUP confidence + supply
-SNP breakthrough 2015-56 seats
how is the party system different in devolved governments?
are multiparty systems, power shared more evenly between parties
Nationalist parties give Labour and Conservatives run for power
what were the 2024 local election results?
Labour - 1158 seats
Lib Dems- 522
Conservatives- 515
Independents + others - 228
Green -181
what factors contribute to party success or failure?
-popularity + image of leader
-relationship with media
-record in government
-record in opposition
-funding and organisation
-policy statements including manifesto
-impact of referendums
how does popularity and image of leader influence party success?
media interest
ability of party leader to establish personal relationship with electorate
leader can be seen as weak/ineffective
how does the relationship with the media increase party success?
strong relationship with influential newspapers, favourable articles can boost support, weaknesses can be highlightedh
how does record in government influence party success?
can achieve reputation for governing competence, if party incompetent or ineffective success impacted
how does record in opposition influence party success?
can challenge gov, gov in waiting, can weaken gov control, highlight party divisions
how does party funding + organisation influence party success?
funding helps with campaigns + outreach, does not guarantee victory, candidates present united + coherent political message
how does choice of candidates + campaign methods influence party success?
candidate involved + engaged in constituency issues
