Political Parties Definitions Flashcards
Definition - Old Labour
Old Labour refers to the Labour Party’s traditional socialist values before the 1990s, focusing on wealth redistribution, workers’ rights, and strong welfare policies.
Example: The post-war Labour government (1945–1951) introduced the NHS and expanded the welfare state as part of its social democratic agenda.
Definition - New Labour
New Labour was a rebranding of the Labour Party under Tony Blair in the 1990s, adopting centrist policies that combined free-market economics with social justice.
Example: The introduction of the minimum wage in 1998 was a New Labour policy that balanced economic growth with worker protection.
Definition - One Nation
A strand of Conservatism that believes in reducing social inequality while maintaining traditional institutions. It supports government intervention to create social harmony.
Example: Benjamin Disraeli, a 19th-century Conservative Prime Minister, promoted One Nation Conservatism by advocating reforms to help the working class.
Definition - New Right
A political ideology combining free-market capitalism with strong authoritarian policies on law and order. It emerged in the 1980s with leaders like Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan.
Definitions - Modern Liberals
A more progressive form of liberalism that accepts some government intervention to ensure equality and social justice while still valuing individual freedom.
Example: The Liberal Democrats supporting higher taxation on the wealthy to fund education and healthcare represents modern liberalism.
Definition - Party System
The way political parties are structured within a political system, such as two-party systems, multi-party systems, or dominant-party systems.
Example: The UK has a two-party system, dominated by Labour and the Conservatives, but also has smaller parties like the Liberal Democrats.
Definition - Left-wing
Left-wing politics focuses on social equality, wealth redistribution, public services, and progressive reforms. It supports government intervention in the economy.
Example: Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour policies, such as nationalising railways and increasing welfare spending, represent left-wing ideas.
Definition - Right-wing
Right-wing politics supports free markets (less government control over businesses), lower taxes, traditional values, and a smaller government role in the economy.
Example: A right-wing government might reduce taxes for businesses so they can grow and create jobs, while also enforcing stricter immigration rules to protect national identity and security.
