Political parties Flashcards
What is a political party?
An organised group of people with similar views and opinions who seek to be elected by the public
Define political class
When politicians are s desperate for power that they forget about representing the people
What are the different functions of a political party?
- Create policy
- To represent
- Select candidates
- Identify leaders
- Organise elections
- Educate politically
- Reinforce consent
Define Aggregation
A process undertaken by a political party to convert ideas into a practical programme by removing contradicting policies from their manifesto
Define populism
Rise of certain parties that represent groups that feel they have been marginalised/ignored by mainstream parties
What does politics mean?
The way in which a country or state is governed
What are the views of the left wing?
- Socialist
- Redistribution of wealth
- public ownership
- high taxation
- elimination of privilege
- promotion of the collective
What are the views of the right wing?
- conservatism
- promote individual over the collective
- small government in terms of economy
- low taxation
- strong on law and order
- stress nationalism and patriotism
What are factors influencing party success?
- wasted votes from fptp
- donations - their funding
- media coverage
- candidates per party (how many people standing in constituenties)
- fptp - can have less seats with more votes
- leader - charisma/personality
Define manifesto
Beliefs commitments and pledges presented to the electoral during an election which will form the basis of law making if the party is elected into government
Define mandate
consent granted to a party by the electorate meaning the party can carry out commitments in it’s manifesto
How are political parties funded?
- collecting membership subscriptions
- holding fundraisers
- receiving donations
- raising loans
- self-financing
- grants from the electoral commission
What was the cash for honours scandal?
People were buying their way into the house of lords
What is the elections and referendums act 2000?
- people not on a UK electoral roll can no longer donate
- limits on amount of electoral spending
- donations over £500 must be declared
- donations over £7500 must be on the electoral register
What is a trade union?
an organisation for workers to protect them
What is cranborne money?
state funding for opposition parties in the house of lords
What is short money?
state funding for opposition parties in the house of commons
What does consensus mean?
describes periods of time when there are no fundamental ideological differences between parties and may disagree on policy rather than outcomes
What does adversary?
deep divisions between and within parties
Who is currently the mother of the house?
Harriet Harman
What does party system mean?
describes how many parties there are in a country and how many of those parties can make a significant impact
What are the different party systems?
- one party
- dominant party
- two party
- three party
- multi party
What are the strengths and weaknesses of a one-party system?
- highly undemocratic
- authoritarian regimes
- efficient
- stable
- long term development
What are the strengths and weaknesses of a dominant party system?
- lack of accountability
- no competition
- ‘rigged’ elections due to desperation for power
- highly stable
- efficient
What are the strengths and weaknesses of a two-party system?
- not truly representative
- no minor parties
- majority votes
- stability
What are the strengths and weaknesses of a three party system?
- smallest party has a disproportionate amount of power but are needed for coalition
- more democratic
- gives minor parties opportunities
What are the strengths and weaknesses of a multi party system?
- not stable
- inefficient
- highly democratic
- high accountability
- proportional representation
