Politics: 2.1 Political Parties Functions and Features Flashcards
What historical interests did the Labour and Conservative parties represent?
Labour historically represented working class interests, while the Conservatives represented the interests of the landed gentry and aristocracy.
What factors have undermined the primary role of political parties?
Partisan and class dealignment, as well as the emergence of ‘catch-all’ parties.
Are political parties beneficial for democracy?
It is debated whether it is better for democracy that parties aim for broader appeal rather than solely representing the views of their membership.
How do parties contribute to citizen education and political engagement?
Parties inform citizens of key issues and encourage political engagement through campaigning during elections.
What influences participation within political parties?
Participation by membership depends on the internal democratic structures of each party.
What role do parties play in candidate selection?
Parties select candidates at all levels and provide political training to those deemed suitable for the job.
How do parties create leaders?
Parties create leaders who govern the country, as ordinary voters vote for their preferred party rather than directly for a Prime Minister.
What is the significance of policy formulation within parties?
Parties discuss and develop policy proposals, presenting them in a coherent programme (the manifesto) to the electorate.
What happens to policy when a party is in government?
The policy formed by the party becomes the mechanism for making laws and decisions.
What is the role of parties in opposition?
In opposition, parties critique the government and propose alternative policies, allowing general membership to take a more active role.
What is ‘aggregation’ in the context of political parties?
Aggregation is the process of converting policies, demands, and ideas into practical policy programmes for government.
What would the House of Commons look like without parties?
Without parties, it would be a gathering of individuals driven by personal goals and ambitions.
How do parties provide order and cohesion in government?
Parties present voters with a clear choice before an election and allow a single party or coalition to form a government.
What is a hidden function of political parties?
A hidden function is their support for the UK system of parliamentary democracy.
What happens if a party fundamentally challenges the political system?
It creates political conflict within society, as seen with parties like Sinn Fein in Westminster.
What is a political party?
A political party is a group of like-minded individuals who seek to realise their shared goals by fielding candidates at elections and thereby securing election to public office.
What is the main aim of most mainstream UK parties?
Most mainstream UK parties ultimately aim to emerge victorious at a general election.
How do political parties differ from pressure groups?
Political parties contest elections to secure control of governmental power, while pressure groups generally have little interest in being elected to office.
What is a mandate?
The right of the governing party to pursue the policies it sets out in its general election manifesto.
What is a manifesto?
A pre-election policy document in which a party sets out a series of policy pledges and legislative proposals that it plans to enact if returned to office.
What is the Salisbury Doctrine?
The convention that the House of Lords does not block or try to wreck legislation that was promised in the manifesto of the governing party.
How does the Salisbury Doctrine relate to electoral mandates?
The Salisbury Doctrine holds that the unelected House of Lords should not oppose any bill included in the governing party’s manifesto at the time of the general election.
What was a significant example of the electoral mandate in practice?
The Labour Party’s promise to remove the rights of hereditary peers in its 1997 general election manifesto, which was fulfilled through the House of Lords Act 1999.
What roles do political parties perform in the UK?
Political parties perform five main roles: providing representation, encouraging political engagement and participation, engaging in political recruitment, formulating policy, and providing stable government.
How do parties encourage political engagement?
By making the wider citizenry aware of the issues of the day and promoting participation in the democratic process.
What is the difference between political parties and pressure groups?
Political parties offer a broad portfolio of policies and contest elections, while pressure groups pursue narrower causes and may field candidates primarily to raise their profile.
What are the main functions of political parties ?
Providing Goverment
Formulating policy
Recruiting office holders
Participation
Representation
