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Political Parties Flashcards

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1
Q

define a party system

A

there are several party system models, ranging from one-party dominance to a multiparty sharing of influence.

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2
Q

Left wing political ideas

A
  • Positive view of state, collectivist view of society.
  • Government should reduce inequality, provide a welfare state to encourage social cohesion.
  • Wealthiest should pay higher taxation.
  • Nationalisation of key industries, government should have a big role in economy.
  • Close relations with trade unions who represent economic interest of working class.
  • Embraces multiculturalism, socially libertarian (alternative lifestyles being = to traditional ones).
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3
Q

Right wing political ideas

A
  • Focused on importance of giving individual control over their own life.
  • Rejects attempts for greater equality, believes free market operates best (little government interference).
  • Keep taxation as low as possible, limit trade union influence for smooth market operation.
  • Privatisation is best to promote competition between companies so they work better.
  • Socially conservative, shared nationalist identity, encourage traditional lifestyles.
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4
Q

consensus politics

A
  • Similarities between main political parties, opposition may support some government policies.
  • Example: Tony Blair embraced tradition Conservative principle regarding free market/low taxation during his time as PM 1994-2
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5
Q

Adversary politics

A
  • Main political parties are divided by fundamental policies, opposition routinely oppose policies of the government.
  • Example: 1980s Labour leader Michael Foot was so against free market reforms of Margaret Thatch
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6
Q

Functions of political parties: selecting candidates

A
  • Fight local/regional/mayoral/general elections, must be member of the party, go through national selection process to be approved, apply to a constituency party who will choose the best individual to increase the parties share of the vote.
  • If candidate wins a seat, they can claim to have an electoral mandate to represent that seat in HoC, can be deselected if too opposed to views of local activists.
  • Gives local party influence over who MP is likely to be.
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7
Q

Functions of political parties: providing personnel of government

A
  • Providing candidates for election to public office e.g. 2010 Conservatives and Lib Dems provided membership for coalition government.
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8
Q

Functions of political parties: electing a leader

A

e.g. party membership voted for David Cameron over David Davis to be leader.

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9
Q

Functions of political parties: policy formulation (manifesto)

A

Labour Party consults with National Policy Forum to develop policies that fairly represent the political opinions of the Labour movement, Conservative manifesto drawn up by senior party members.

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10
Q

Functions of political parties: campaigning

A
  • E.g. 40% of those who voted felt their opinions were represented by Labour party compared to 42.4% Conservative.
  • Proportional representation in Scottish Parliament gives nationalist/more radical parties a chance to achieve representative influence.
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11
Q

Functions of political parties: mobilising consent for government

A

Hard to make a government individually, parties give favourable conditions for establishment/survival of government.

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12
Q

What is a manifesto?

A
  • A document which sets out what the party seeks to achieve if it is able to form a government.
  • If a party wins a general election it can claim the legitimacy to carry out its manifesto commitments.
  • Will form the core of Queen’s Speech, delivered by
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13
Q

What is a mandate?

A
  • Authority to try to enact manifesto commitments e.g. after 2015 election Cameron’s government could legitimately offer a referendum on the UK’s membership in the EU.
  • If no party receives parliamentary majority then coalition (e.g. 2010 Lib Dem and Conservative) or minority government (2017 DUP and Conservative) will be established, principle of mandate does not operate smoothly as cannot rely on unequivocal electoral mandate of public.
  • Can claim doctor’s mandate i.e. propose measures not in manifesto in response to changing political circumstances.
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14
Q

How are parties funded?

A
  • Private funding
  • Short money to opposition
  • policy development grants
  • public funding
  • Trade union
  • cranborne money
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15
Q

what are policy development grants?

A
  • policy development grants allocate £2 million to all the main parties so that they can employ policy advisers
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16
Q

what is short money?

A
  • short money, named after the labour politican Ted Short, is allocated to the opposition parties for their work in the house of commons based on the number of seats they have. The leader of the opposition is also funded almost £800,000 for the running of their office
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17
Q

what is cranborne money?

A

Cranborne money named after the conservative peer lord cranborne, subsides the work of scrutiny carried out by the opposition parties in the house of lords.

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18
Q

Reasons for state funding?

A
  • Avoid discrepancy/disparity in how much money parties receive.
  • Cash for honours (2006-7, Blair government), Labour donors being elevated to HoL.
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19
Q

Reasons against state funding?

A
  • Free democracy, should be able to support whatever cause they want.
  • Would be controversial to decide how much each party should claim.
  • Would suggest parties are servants of the state, might limit political independence.
  • Funding of extremist parties (e.g. BNP) would be extremely controversial as they exclude certain group from equal status.
  • Taxes should be used on public services e.g. schools/hospitals.
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20
Q

one nation conservatism value:Paternalistic Approach?

A

Emphasizes a paternalistic role for the government in addressing social issues and economic inequality.

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21
Q

one nation conservatism value:Social Conservatism?

A

Supports traditional social values and institutions, often rooted in religious or cultural traditions.

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22
Q

one nation conservatism value: welfare state?

A

Accepts the existence of a welfare state to address social needs and maintain social order.

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23
Q

one nation conservatism value: economic intervention?

A

May support some degree of government intervention in the economy to address social and economic inequalities.

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24
Q

one nation conservatism value: Nationalism

A

Emphasizes a strong sense of national identity and sovereignty.

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25
Q

New right values?

A

Advocates for a smaller, more limited government with reduced intervention in both the economy and individual lives.

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26
Q

New right values: free market economics?

A

Emphasizes free-market capitalism as a means to promote economic growth and individual freedom.

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27
Q

New right values: individualism?

A

Prioritizes individual liberties and personal responsibility over collective or societal concerns.

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28
Q

new right values: reduced welfare state?

A

Calls for a reduction in the size and scope of the welfare state, favoring market-driven solutions over government programs.

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29
Q

new right values: anti globalism?

A

May express skepticism or opposition to international institutions and agreements, emphasizing national interests.

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30
Q

Old labour values: socialism?

A

Rooted in socialist principles, with an emphasis on public ownership of key industries and a commitment to reducing economic inequalities.

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31
Q

Old labour values: Trade union influence?

A

Strong ties to trade unions, with a focus on protecting workers’ rights and promoting collective bargaining.

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32
Q

Old labour values:Welfare state?

A

Advocated for the expansion of the welfare state, including nationalization of industries, to ensure social safety nets and reduce class disparities.

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33
Q

Old labour values: Pacifism?

A

Historically, Old Labour has been associated with pacifism and a more cautious approach to military interventions.

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34
Q

new labour values: Pragmatism?

A

Embraced a more pragmatic and centrist approach, moving away from traditional socialist ideology to attract a broader range of voters.

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35
Q

New labour values: Market-Oriented Reforms?

A

Introduced market-oriented policies, including some privatization, and embraced free-market principles while maintaining a mixed economy.

36
Q

New labour values: the third way?

A

Coined the term “Third Way,” positioning itself as a middle ground between traditional left-wing and right-wing ideologies, focusing on social justice and economic efficiency.

37
Q

New labour values: social justice?

A

Continued a commitment to social justice but sought to achieve it through a combination of market mechanisms and government intervention.

38
Q

New labour values: International intervention?

A

In foreign policy, New Labour was more willing to engage in military interventions for humanitarian reasons, as seen in conflicts like Kosovo and Sierra Leo

39
Q

Liberalism

A

Political doctrine originating in 18th century. Expresses ideas such as individual liberty, equal rights, constitutionalism, tolerance and social justice

40
Q

Traditional Liberalism

A

Political doctrine originating in 18th century. Expresses ideas such as individual liberty, equal rights, constitutionalism, tolerance and social justice

41
Q

Traditional Liberalism

A

The original form of liberalism, dominant in UK politics and most parties at least most of its basic ideas.

42
Q

Principles of Traditional liberalism

A

-The importance of individual liberties and rights
-Equal rights for individuals and groups
-destruction of artficial privileges
-Tolerance of differing beliefs, movements and cultures,
-Constitutionalism: A belief that there needs to be strict legal rules to determine the operation of government and politics

43
Q

Liberal democrat principles: Liberal law and order position

A

Believe that crime is caused by poor social conditions, therefore prefering a rehabiliative approach to punishment

43
Q

Principles of the Liberal democrats:

A

-Liberalism
-Constitutionalism
-Social justice
-Liberal law and order position
-welfarism
-EU
-Environmentalism
-Localism

44
Q

Liberal democrat principles: Liberalism

A

The belief in equality, and the universality of rights and liberties

45
Q

Liberal democrat principles: Constitutionalism

A

There needs to be constitutional reform, they believe that a strict and precise set of rules to determine the operation of government

46
Q

Liberal democrat principles: Social Justice

A

a political and philosophical concept which holds that all people should have equal access to wealth, health, wellbeing, justice and opportunity.

47
Q

Why should parties be state funded?

A
  • Parties play an important role in rep dem so deserve funding
  • Public funding would remove the great disparity in resources available to different sized parties
  • It would curb the potentially corrupt influence of private backers
  • Public funding would remove the inequality of resources within parties
48
Q

Why shouldn’t parties be state funded?

A
  • Could lead for greater state regulations decreasing party independence
  • It is hard to decide how much following a party should have to be eligible for state funding
  • Would be resented by tax payers as there would be higher tax rates or less money into other services
  • Could isolate parties from the wishes of the voters
49
Q

In what ways did Cameron’s government remain closely lined with Thatcherism?

A

-Economic policy = reduce the budget deficit acquired from Labour
-Welfare Policy = encourage self-reliance under the coalition
Foreign Policy = Air strikes

50
Q

What is the impact of the Green Party?

A
  • Encouraged main parties to adopt radical environmental policies.
  • Became a protest vote.
  • In a coalition with Scotland’s SNP.
51
Q

What factors effect minor party success?

A
  • Use of proportional
  • representation
  • Concentrated support
  • Media support
  • Popular ideas
  • Charismatic leaders
  • Offers something different
52
Q

What are some failing factors to minor parties?

A
  • Lack of funding
  • Discriminatory electoral system
  • Limited media exposure
  • People feel they are a wasted vote
53
Q

What factors effect a party’s popularity?

A
  • Manifesto
  • Leader
  • Media
  • Wider political context
  • Party unity
  • Opposition
54
Q

What are the functions of parties in the UK?

A
  • Making policy
  • Aggregation: Recognising a wide range of demands and converting them into programmes of action.
  • Representation: Often claim to represent a specific section of society (i.e. the Labour Party representing the working class) Now all main parties claim they represent the national interest.
  • Selecting candidates/leaders
  • Organising elections
  • Political education.
55
Q

What are populist parties?

A

Typically appear and disappear rapidly and claim to represent sections of society who claim to have been ignored by conventional parties – not represented at all.

56
Q

What are the differences between left populist and right populist parties?

A
  • Left populist parties – typically represent poor people and promote liberal ideas.
  • Right populist parties – anti-taxation, anti big business, anti big government.
57
Q

What is the definition of an issue party?

A
  • Represent a particular cause
  • e.g. Green Parties
58
Q

What are left wing policies?

A
  • Policies that conform to socialist policies
  • Redistribution of wealth from rich to poor through taxation & welfare
  • Public ownership & state control of key enterprises
  • Elimination of privilege
  • Equal rights & opportunities
59
Q

What are right wing policies?

A
  • Policies that associate with conservatism
  • Promotion of individualism
  • State/gov does not interfere with economic & social issues
  • Low personal taxation, strict position on law & order
  • Stress on patriotism & nationalism
60
Q

What are the definitions of consensus and adversary politics?

A
  • Consensus= general agreement
  • Adversary= period of conflict
61
Q

Example of the governing party using minority party reach an agreement

A

The conservative party and the democratic unionist party of northern Ireland made a pact in 2017

62
Q

An example of a large party being influenced by a small party due to fear of losing votes to them

A

The conservative party was influenced by UKIP and so promised a referendum on staying in the EU or leaving and the Green party influencing labour

63
Q

Example of emerging party being able to influence in the house of commons

A

True of the SNP since 2015 and the DUP after 2017. This brings minority voices into public view

64
Q

Dominant party system

A

one party dominates the no. of seats in the legislative body

65
Q

Two party system

A

only two parties have significant representation

66
Q

Three party system

A

Three parties have significant representation

67
Q

Multiparty system

A

Four or more parties have a signifiant no of representative elected

68
Q

Example of party losing votes due to their past when last in office

A

Liberal democrats lost support in 2015 election. 4.4 million votes and 49 seats lost most likely due to the U-turn they took on tuition fees

69
Q

Example of party being criticised on economical responsibility

A

Major critics of Labour highlight their increase in government spending as financially irresponsible

70
Q

Example of party’s trustworthiness

A

Critics of green party say that the party’s policies are unrealistic in terms of spending and the possibility of success

71
Q

traits and qualities are known to attract support in a political party leader

A

-Experience -Apparent honesty -Decisiveness
-Ability to lead -Intelligence -Media image

72
Q

Examples of party unity affecting party’s success

A

-In 1983 and 1987 the labour party became defeated by a united conservative party under Margaret Thatcher
-In 1997 the conservative party was divided over the EU and lost heavily to Labour, which was united around Blair’s new agenda
-In 2015the liberal democrats were divided and lost most of their seats in parliament

73
Q

Examples of media criticising political parties

A

-Labour party in 1983 and 2010 however managed to overcome ferocious press opposition in the 2017 election campaign. It did this party by mobilising social media in its favour

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government and politics (5 decks)

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