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Politics > Political Parties > Flashcards

Political Parties Flashcards

1
Q

Define the term “party”

A

A group of people with similar beliefs (an ideology)

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2
Q

What does “Consensus politics” mean?

A

There are many philosophical and policy similarities between the main political parties. The opposition therefore may support some of the government´s policies.

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3
Q

What does “Adversary politics” mean?

A

The main parties are divided by fundamental philosophical and policy differences. As a result, the opposition will routinely oppose the policies of the government.

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4
Q

What are the functions of political parties?

A
  • Selecting candidates
  • providing the personnel of government
  • electing a leader
  • policy formulation (manifesto)
  • Representation
  • mobilsing consent for government
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5
Q

Describe what a manifesto is

A

A set of policies a party wants to establish if they are given a mandate to do so.

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6
Q

Why can manifestos be considered as important?

A
  • A contract with the voters
  • Accountability
  • Shows how they would govern
  • shapes voting behaviour (image of the party)
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7
Q

Why could parties enhance democracy?

A
  • Encourage political participation (standing for office, campaigning)
  • Provide voters with a choice
  • Serving as a means of communication between people and the government
  • Education (debates in public forums)
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8
Q

Why could parties threaten democracy?

A
  • Faith in parties can be seen as low through low turnout in election and a low number of memberships
  • Parties are largely funded through donations
  • underrepresentation of women or ethnic minorities in parties
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9
Q

Define right wing political ideas

A

Derive from liberal and conservative ideology and include small government, low taxation, protection of the individual liberty, law and order, national sovereignty, and strong defence.

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10
Q

Define left wing political ideas

A

Emphasises the importance of a fair and equal society with state intervention, higher taxes on the wealthier and extensive welfare provision.
It favours also an internationalist approach

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11
Q

The Political Parties, Elections and Referendum Act (2000)

A
  • Created stronger regulations for the funding of political parties to increase transparency and fairness.
  • An independent electoral commission was established to monitor how much money political parties spend on campaigns
  • The amount of money a political party can spend in a constituency during an election is limited to 30.000
  • Political parties must declare large scale donations (over 5.000)
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12
Q

Explain the term “Short Money”

A

It is used in the HoC and reverse to money allocated to opposition parties for their work in Parliament based on the number of seats they have. This money is used to help them run offices and scrutinise the government.

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13
Q

Explain the term “Cranborne Money”

A

It is used in the HoL an reverse to annual payments made to the opposition party in the House of Lords to help them with their costs related to their work.

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14
Q

Which institution controls the fundings of political parties?

A

The independent electoral commission established through the Political Parties, Elections and Referendum Act (2000)

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15
Q

Who were the leader of the Labour Party since 2007?

A
  • Gordon Brown (2007 - 2010)
  • Ed Miliband (2010 - 2015)
  • Jeremy Corbon (2015 - 2020)
  • Keir Starmer (2020 - present)
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16
Q

What are the key ideas of Old Labour (Social Democracy)?

A

Equality - there should be no inequality in society
Collectivism - humans should work together
Capitalism must be controlled
Pro nationalisation
Social justice - all should have access to a good standard of living

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17
Q

What are the key ideas of New Labour (Third Way)

A

Individualism - each person should realise their own potential
Free market is the best form of wealth creation
A welfare state to support the needy
Social justice (the same as Old Labour)
All have community responsibility

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18
Q

Why should parties be state funded?

A
  • It stops wealthy individuals and groups from influencing parties and policies
  • Parties can focus on representing the people rather than fundraising
  • Smaller parties will get fairer treatment
  • Less wealthy pressure groups will get equal hearing by parties
19
Q

Why should parties not be state funded?

A
  • Politicians may be less interested in what pressure groups have to say
  • Taxpayers may fund parties they do not support
  • There would be disagreement over how funding would be allocated and who would pay it
20
Q

Describe what traditional conservatism is and what it stands for

A

Emerged during the 19th century and was the party of:
- property
- pragmatism
- authoritarianism
- tradition
- stability
- sees human nature as a problem which needs to be controled

They argued that a free society with little government control would lead to major social disorder.

21
Q

Describe what one-nation conservatism is and what it stands for

A

Traditional conservatism would not inspire the people. It should rather unite the nation in a collective reverence. Individuals should stop being selfish and the community should be the priority.

  • Big society
  • Pragmatism
  • Obligations to society

One-nation is therefore more inclusive and progressive than traditional conservatism.

22
Q

Describe what the New Right is and what it stands for

A

Also known as Thatcherism
Emerged from classical liberalism and traditional conservatism.

  • small government
  • individualism
  • individual responsibility
  • free market/lower taxes
  • law and order

It emphasises the importance of traditional values and principles which allowed society to develop until this time.

23
Q

Describe what is meant by “human nature” and how traditional conservatism views it

A

Thomas Hobbes argued that humans are imperfect ruthlessly self-interest.

Traditional conservatism views it in 3 distinct categories:
- Morally imperfect - humans are selfish creatures motivated by basic impulses
- Intellectually imperfect - Reality is beyond rational understanding
- Psychologically imperfect - humans rely on tradition and culture for an identity

24
Q

Pragmatism

A
  • Making a decisions on the basis of what works
  • Flexibility of the mind
25
Q

Why was New Labour such an extreme shift in Labour policy?

A
  • They needed to appeal the centre to gather enough votes
  • Nationalisation was unpopular
  • Old economically policies had to be changed
  • New Labour was more pragmatic but not in the same degree as the Conservatives
26
Q

What are the two fractions within the Liberal Democrats?

A

Social Liberals - Centre left; modern liberalism; Increased social justice through support of the disadvantaged

Orange Book Liberals - more centrist; classical liberalism; increased social justice through economic freedom

27
Q

What are principles of the Liberal Democrats?

A

Tolerance – a wide variety of lifestyles and beliefs should be tolerated

Liberty – individual freedom and rights should be protected

Equality of opportunity – disadvantages in society should be removed and all should enjoy equal chances

Social justice – whilst capitalism should prevail, wealth should be redistributed, and each person guaranteed a good standard of living

Constitutionalism – a strong constitution should separate political power and the government should be limited by laws

28
Q

Name minority parties in the UK and what they stand for?

A

UKIP (Eurosceptic, right-wing populist party; largest party representing the UK in the EU Parliament)

Brexit/Reform UK (pro Brexit party)

Plaid Cymru (seeking autonomy for Wales)

SNP (single-party majority government; independence for Scottland)

Sinn Fein (power sharing; seeking for a united republican Ireland)

The Green Party (green economy, more money for the NHS, green economy)

Lib. Dems (smaller government, pro EU, more individual freedom)

29
Q

Describe impact of minority parties on policy, parties, governance and devolution in the UK

A

Policy: UKIP influenced the two main parties to include a Brexit referendum for 2016

Parties: UKIP and Euroscepticism split parties into two parts, Pro-remain and Pro-leave

Governance: Confidence and Supply Agreement between the DUP and the Conservatives during a minority government in 2017

Devolution: SNP in Scotland; Plaid Cymru and Labour in Wales

30
Q

Define “One-Party system”

A

Only one party has a reasonable chance of winning.

For example: the Conservatives govern most of the time (1979 - 1997; 2010 - present)

31
Q

Define “Two-Party system”

A

There are two parties who succeed in most elections.

In the UK these are Labour and Conservatives

32
Q

Define “two-and-a-half party system”

A

A third, smaller party can function as a “king maker” by forming a coalition.

In the UK these were the Liberal Democrats and today it is the SNP.

33
Q

Define “Multi-party system”

A
  • More than two parties compete for power each with a chance of gaining power.
  • The outcome is almost always a coalition
  • New parties have better chance of gaining power
34
Q

What are factors affecting party succees?

A

Policy
- policies will tell the voters what they can expect
- Clear, simple and pragmatic policies are often more appealing to voters

Leadership
- Strong leader are popular and trusted by voters (Johnson)
- Weak leaders are unpopular and have a bad image (Ed Miliband, Labour)

The Media
- media provides a forum for discussions
- newspapers have different political opinions

Campaign
- A successful campaign is one where citizens feel they get to known the party

Party unity
- If a party is split up it produces the image of not being competent to govern

35
Q

Which party received the highest income from their membership fees and other activities in 2019?

A

The Labour Party

36
Q

When was the Labour Party founded?

A

1900

37
Q

How did UKIP´s support change between the 2015 and 2017 general election?

A

It significantly decreased

38
Q

What role does the state have in party funding in the UK?

A

The state funds MP salaries and expenses

39
Q

Which policy, in particular, led to the Liberal Democrats´ decreased popularity at the 2015 general election?

A

Tripling tuition fees

40
Q

What is a party system?

A

A way of explaining how many political parties are likely to win elected office in a country

41
Q

What is the purpose of the “policy development grant” given to elected parties?

A

To employ political advisor

42
Q

Which Prime Minister oversaw a mini-budget that saw huge tax cuts, the removal of the cap on bankers’ bonuses and the removal of the Health and Social Care levy?

A

Liz Truss

43
Q

How many seats did the SNP win at the 2015 general election?

A

56

44
Q

Distinguish between classical liberals and modern liberals

A

Classical liberalism
- regard the state as the primary threat to individual freedom and advocate limiting its power to those necessary to protect basic rights

Modern liberalism
- freedom can also be threatened by private economic actors, such as businesses, that exploit workers or dominate governments
- there should be regulations that, as a consequence, might also undermine individual autonomy

Politics (8 decks)

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