Parties in context- Paper 1

Question 1

Functions of parties

Answer 1

-making policies
-representing sections of society eg. labour= working class
-inform people about political issues

Question 2

How are parties funded?

Answer 2

-collecting membership fees
-fundraising evens
-donations

Question 3

Why is party funding controversial?

Answer 3

-favours 2 largest parties
-eg Tories £6mill= 2019 Green £100,000= 2019
-large, hidden donations= corruption

Question 4

3 main parties

Answer 4

Tory:
-Sunak
-increase pension by 2.5/ per year
Labour:
-Starmer
-raise min wage to £10

Lib Dems:
-Ed Davey
-free childcare

Question 5

Alternative funding structure

Answer 5

-limit size of donations
-impose restrictions on spending
-state funding

Question 6

parties SHOULD receive state funding

Answer 6

-would end corrupt donations
-reduce advantage of major parties
-even playing field, reducing the influence f wealthy donors

Question 7

parties SHOULDNT receive state funding

Answer 7

-How to distribute funding?
-taxpayers funding parties they don’t agree with
-excessive state regulation of parties

Question 8

left wing views on the economy, income and social issues

Answer 8

ECONOMY:
-state regulation
-nationalisation

INCOME:
-redistribution of income

SOCIAL ISSUES:
-welfare

Question 9

centrist views on the economy, income and social issues

Answer 9

ECONOMY:
-free market with some gov control

INCOME:
-mild redistribution

SOCIAL ISSUES:
-welfare for the most needy

Question 10

right wing views on the economy, income and social issues

Answer 10

ECONOMY:
-no state intervention

INCOME:
-low tax

SOCIAL ISSUES:
-limited welfare
-opposed to multiculturalism

Question 11

Party systems

Answer 11

-one party system
-dominant party system
-two party system
-two and a half party system
-multi party system

Question 12

why do small parties fail?

Answer 12

-lack of funds
-electoral system
-lack of media exposure
-wasted votes

Question 13

Factors that affect party success

Answer 13

LEADERSHIP:
-experience, media image, decisiveness
Enhanced= Johnson
Damaged: Ed Miliband (awkward)

UNITY:
-1980s, Torys united, labour split, resulting in two huge Tory victories

MEDIA:
-newspapers line up with election results
-2017 election, papers backed Tories
-2010 clegg bounce due to TV debates

Question 14

how well do parties enhance democracy?

Answer 14

• provide opportunity for participation
  -help make politics understandable
  x illegitimate- FPTP
  X elitist

Question 15

What are the core principles of Old Labour?

Answer 15

• Socialism, equality, and collectivism.
• Advocated for nationalisation, welfare state, and strong trade unions

Question 16

What were key policies of Old Labour?

Answer 16

• Nationalisation of industries.
• Welfare reforms: NHS, social security.
• Progressive taxation to reduce inequality.

Question 17

Who was a key figure in Old Labour, and what was their impact?

Answer 17

Clement Attlee: Created NHS, nationalised industries.

Question 17

What is New Labour and how did it differ from Old Labour?

Answer 17

• Led by Tony Blair, focused on the centre-ground.
• Embraced Third Way politics: mix of free-market economics with social justice.

Question 18

What were the key features of New Labour’s policies?

Answer 18

• Economy: Accepted privatisation, public-private partnerships.
• Welfare: Introduced welfare-to-work and tax credits.
• Education: Investment + tuition fees.
  Healthcare: Public-private partnerships in the NHS.

Question 19

What were the successes of New Labour?

Answer 19

• Won 3 elections (1997–2005).
• Achieved constitutional reform (devolution, Human Rights Act).
• Reduced child poverty, modernised the economy.

Question 20

What were the criticisms of New Labour?

Answer 20

• Iraq War (2003) damaged credibility.
• Abandoned traditional socialist values.
• Rising inequality and the 2008 financial crisis tarnished its legacy.

Question 21

How do Old Labour and New Labour differ ideologically?

Answer 21

Feature Old Labour New Labour
Ideology Socialist Third Way (free-market)
Economic Policy Nationalisation Privatisation accepted
Social Policy Welfare state focus Welfare-to-work

Answer 22

IDEOLOGY:
old- socialist
new- free market
ECONOMIC:
old- nationalism
new- privatization accepted
SOCIAL:
old- welfare state focus
new- welfare-to-work