Political parties 2.2 Flashcards
Conservative party - what is Thatcherism?
The combination of Neo-liberalism and Neo- Conservatism. (The New Right).
Why did the New Right come about?
After the rapid economic decline during the Winter of discontent in 1979.
Main concerns of a Neo-liberal
Extend individual Freedom by…
lowering taxes,
tightening control on government spending,
stopping dependency culture (expensive welfare state)
privatisations and deregulation of services owned by govt.
Main concerns of a Neo-Conservative
Restore authority and national identity - informed by christianity.
More power to police, stiffer sentences.
Robust approach to national defence.
Promotion of family structures, anti-permissive policy.
Tighter immigration policy.
Conservative party today - What was David Cameron’s campaign slogan?
The Big Society.
What were the key policies in the 2010 Conservative Manifesto?
Reduce spending in all government departments apart from heath care.
Use of private companies to help with offender rehabilitation.
National boarder police force.
Reducing corporation tax to 25%.
What was Theresa May’s Campaign Slogan?
‘Strong and Stable government’.
What were the key policies in the 2017 Conservative manifesto?
Leave the European Single market and Customs Union.
Reduce corporation tax to 17% by 2020.
‘Means testing’ of property
Spending on NHS increase to £8bn by 2022.
Retain the Trident nuclear deterrent system.
Old Labour - What is democratic socialism?
a moderate form of socialism which is distrustful of capitalism, but is not in favour of overthrowing the democratic state.
what is revolutionary socialism?
Existing political systems supporting capitalism should be abolished. Social democrats do not wish to abolish capitalism; they try to tame it for everyone’s benefit.
What value matters most to supporters of Old Labour?
Equality - Labour used to support redistribution of income to reduce the inequalities.
What do traditional socialists think ultimately divides society?
Class conflict - the interests of all the classes cannot be reconciled at once.
Equality of opportunity - equal life chances no matter wha their background.
What should happen to major national industries?
Collectivism - goals are best achieved collectively - solidarity.
Common ownership- public of major, strategic industries..
What role should the state play?
Statism - control economic activity and secure social gaols to ensure equality of treatment.
Welfarism - every member of society should be protected by a welfare system to which all should contribute.
New Labour - What was Tony Blair’s first campaign slogan
New Labour. New Britain
What is the Third Way?
a middle path between socialism and capitalism
Which clause did Blair revoke? what did this mean for the Labour Party?
Blair revoked clause 4 which had historically committed the Labour Party to the belief in nationalism and common ownership.
What are the key values of New Labour? Examples of their policies.
Equality of opportunity - large investment in education, introduced the minimum wage.
An enabling state - huge increase in NHS spending.
Commitment to democratic reform - Human Rights Act, Freedom of information Act.
Individualism - fundamental aspect of human nature.
Current day Labour Party - Jezza’ s most recent manifesto policies
30bn into NHS if elected.
no university tuition fees
wealth redistributed for the poor to have a better quality of life.
What are current day Labour’s core value’s
similar to that of Old Labour, equality, collectivism, nationalisation.
The Liberal Democrats - Core values of a classical liberal
Strong belief in individual freedom.
Therefore believes in a limited state,
welfare to help equality of opportunity.
Core values of a modern liberal
Same core values as classical liberals but believe a limited government doesn’t do enough to protect equality of opportunity.
More sceptical of non-intervention and very supportive of the welfare state.
Policies during the 2010 - 2015 Lib Dem Conservative coalition
Funding welfare state,
referendum for AV as voting system for general elections - 2/3s of the voting population rejected AV.
Current Lib Dem policies
Stay in the EU for free movement of people, goods, capital and services.
Some liberals argue staying EU limits better trade with the rest of the world.
More money to NHS
Support NATO
Reform HoL, human rights protection, codified constitution.
Low taxes on families high taxes on wealthy individuals
Conservation of environment.
