Party systems Flashcards
Define the phrase party system
the normal number of parties that compete effectively in elections
What are the 4 main party models
One party system
Two party system
Three party system
Multi party system
One party systems are usually ________
Totalitarian
What are the features of a two party system
May cause deep - seated divisions weakening internal cohesion
Adversarial politics
Very powerful
Policies that depend on cross party alliances may never emerge
what is an example of a country with a multi party system
Netherlands
Germany
What are the features of a multi party system
Easier to forge cross party alliances
1 party rarely wins majority
Inter party cooperation is essential
Parties are weaker
Multi party systems usually use what voting system
Proportional
name some parties in Germany’s multi party system
CDU + CSU SPD Green Party FDP Die linke AFD
Which German parties are centre left
SPD - major success 1960’s + 70s - Brandt & Schmidt politician
Green Party - environmentalist + centre left
FDP
which German party is far right
AFD - far right - anti immigration
Which German party is far left
Die linke ‘the left’ - support in the east - former communists
the German party FDP are ‘liberals’ who are generally form coalitions with what two parties
CDU + SPD - a centre left + centre right party
A two party system is when ….
The power of govt switches between two main parties (1945 - 1974)
Some say the UK has a dominant party system what is this
One party has long reigns in govt - one follows the other e.g. (1979 - 2010 where lab followed conserv)
What are the three main reasons for a two party system
Class alignment
Electoral system
Lack of funding for minor parties
The UK party system can be referred to as a d_____
Duopoly
Why is lack of funding for minor parties a reason for the UK’s two party system
Hard for minor parties to break into the two party system
How does the plurality system currently used enable the current two party system
Smaller parties lack electoral strongholds - e.g. red wall
Belief that voting for minor parties is a wasted vote
What emerged as a challenge to the 2 party system in the 1980’s
The Liberal Democrats - and their rising popularity - 1988
How did partisan dealignment contribute to the decline of the duopoly
Means people are more open to minor parties ideas & policies that resonated with them the most
Some say the UK has a 2 and a ____ party system
Half
What evidence is there for the return of the two party system after 2010
2017 gen election both the Lib Dems & SNP lost seats in comparison to Lab & Conserv who secured their highest share of popular votes since the 1970 gen election
How did the creation of regional assemblies encourage the development of the multi party system
They use a proportional voting system - AMS
What evidence is there for the UK having a 2 and a half party system
2019 - 76% of vote went to conserv + lab but SNP won 48 seats + Lib Dems most votes after L&C
