Political Parties Flashcards
faction
a group of like-minded politicians, usually formed around a key leader or in support of a set of preffered policies
5 functions of parties
then acf functions
representation
policy formulation
recruitment of leaders
organization of government
participation and mobilization of the electorate
provide a basis for political competition
public face of political stances
aggregate political opinion (parties are broad churches)
some parties act like pressure groups using elections to further their aims and profile (UKIP, Greens)
Functions of parties: representation
Primary function of parties
developing policies that appeal to the mass electorate
Catch-all parties
therefore winning party at an election can claim a popular mandate to carry out its policies
so parties translate public opinion into government policiy
catch all parties
a party that develops policies that will appeal to the widest range of voters, by contrast with a programmatic party
Ineffectiveness of parties in ensuring representation
electorate not always well informed
party leader and image > policies
due to FPTP parties only need 35-40% of the electorate to win a general election
Functions of parties: policy formulation
In the process of seeking power, parties form programmes of government
parties initiate policy
parties formulate a coherent set of policy options that gives the electorate a choice of realistic and achievable goals
How parties form programmes of government
party forums
annual conferences
election manifestos
Ineffectiveness of parties in policy formulation
in recent years (pre-2015) parties have distanced themselves from their traditional ideologies
less interested in formulating larger goals for society and generally less interested in ideas
parties more eager to follow public opinion
responding to opinion polls and focus groups
trying to shape ideas instead of taking an ideological stance
Functions of parties: recruitment of leaders
As a party member = canvassing, debate, run a constituency party
party membership opens door to political office which opens the door to number ten
parties recruit and train leaders for the future
Ineffectiveness of parties in recruitment of leaders
government is appointed for very small pool of HofC
electioneering and other party activities = poor training for running a large government department or even the country
Functions of parties: organisation of government
government relies on parties to
form government (party government)
stability as government is usually drawn from a single party and therefore is united by common ideologies, sympathies and attachments
facilitates cooperation between parliament and the executive
provides a formal opposition and a government in waiting in the form of shadow ministers
Ineffectiveness of parties in organizing government
decline of party unity since 1970s = weakened party control in the commons (eg JC labour)
Coalition government 2011
Functions of parties: participation and mobilization
provide opportunities for citizens to join political parties and shape party policy
educate and mobilize the electorate (eg: canvasing, public meetings, advertising, poster campaigns…)
parties = electoral machine operating through building up of loyalty and identification among the electorate
Ineffectiveness of parties in participation and mobilization
voters loyalty and identification has declined
1964: 44% voters claimed to have a very strong attachment to a party
2005: 10% “”
membership of 3 main parties have fallen from 3 million 1960s to 384000 beginning of 2015 (changed with JC election)
what is a political party
a group of like-minded individuals who organise themselves in order to select candidates, secure election to political office and ultimately pursue their chosen policies by entering government.
in a democratic system parties do this by putting up candidates for elections in the hope of gaining representation and ultimately forming or participating in government
organisation with broad principles that it will seek to implement if given power
3 features of political parties
aim to exercise government power by wining political office
broad issue focus
addressing each of the major areas of government policy
members are usually united by shared political preferences and general ideological identity (although loose and broadly defined)
What is party government
a system through which single parties are able to form governments and carry through policy programmes
features of party government
major parties have clear ideological convictions and develop rival programmes of government, giving the electorate a meaningful choice between potential governments
Governing party is able to claim a popular mandate which it can then translate into government policy
government is accountable to the electorate through its mandate and the existence of a credible opposition party which acts as a balance
Who has power within parties
party leaders
parliamentary parties
members and constituency parties
party backers
how party leaders have power in the party
parliamentary leaders dominate the rest of the party (especially when leader = PM)
Political celebrity
presidentialism
leaders increasingly expected to determine parties ideological direction & to deliver electoral success
talisman / brand image
tendancy towards failed leaders resigning (2014 election…)
how parliamentary parties have power in the party
mere lobby fodder?
since 1970s MPs more independently minded (declline in party unity)
Thatcher = example where parlliamentary party overthrew her
Major = majorly undermined by backbench rebellions over europe
1922 committee = conservative backbench committee)
PLP = labour backbench committee
how members and constituency parties have power in the party
difficult to evaluate
falling membership = deceased influence
major parties now develop policy through policy committees, forums and task forces
Labour = robbing the party conference
Conservatives = mps chosen by constituency party
individual party members elect their leaders (labour)
how party backers have power in the party
people who provide the funding
labour controlled by trade unionists?
Conservatives controlled by major business backers
‘cash for questions’
Electoral commission set up to regulate
state funding happens in europe. best way to manage = do the same
how the conservative party elects their leader
when vacancy: candidate nominated by two tory MPs
when no vacancy: parliamentary party voting a vote of no confidence in present leader (will occur if 15% tory MPs write to chairman of 1922 committee)
series of ballots until two candidates remain
then ballot of all party members(all paid up party members=eligible)
how the labour party elects their leader
vacancy: 15% of labour MPs nominate (PLP)
no vacancy: 20% of PLP
one member one vote (OMOV) (no more elctoral colleges)
AV
how the liberal democrat party elects their leader
10% parliamentary party + 200 party members from >20 constituencies
postal ballot using AV
Left
the end of the political spectrum closely associated with socialism and the principle of wealth distribution. Those on the left tend to see the needs of society as being more important than those of the individual.
Based on generally optimistic views about human nature and favor social change.
right
refering to those ideologies that stress the importance of capitalism and ‘small government’
closely associated with policies stressing the importance of the nation, the family and law and order
pessimistic about human nature
ideology
a coherent set of beliefs or values that guides ones actions
conviction politics
a style of politics in which the policies of parties are shaped by the ideological convictions of their leaders
4 periods of politics since 1945
post-war social democracy
thatcherism
post-thatcherite consensus
age of austerity
