Party Politics

Question 1

Consensus politics

Answer 1

An overlap of ideological positions between two or more political parties; an agreement about fundamental policy goals that permits disagreement on matters of detail or emphasis.
• Reduced scrutiny • less adversary behaviour

Question 2

Adversary politics

Answer 2

A form of politics that is characterised by deep ideological conflicts between major parties; the parties offer rival ideological visions.

Question 3

What are the functions of parties

Answer 3

1) Representation
2) Policy formulation
3) Recruitment of leaders
4) Organization of government
5) Participation and mobilization of electorate

Question 4

Who has power within parties?

Answer 4

1) Party leaders
2) Parliamentary parties
3) Members and constituency parties
4) Party backers

Question 5

What is a ‘two-party system’?

Answer 5

A system that is dominated by two ‘major’ parties that have a roughly equal prospect of winning government power.