Politics: 2.1 Political Parties Functions and Features

Question 1

What historical interests did the Labour and Conservative parties represent?

Answer 1

Labour historically represented working class interests, while the Conservatives represented the interests of the landed gentry and aristocracy.

Question 2

What factors have undermined the primary role of political parties?

Answer 2

Partisan and class dealignment, as well as the emergence of ‘catch-all’ parties.

Question 3

Are political parties beneficial for democracy?

Answer 3

It is debated whether it is better for democracy that parties aim for broader appeal rather than solely representing the views of their membership.

Question 4

How do parties contribute to citizen education and political engagement?

Answer 4

Parties inform citizens of key issues and encourage political engagement through campaigning during elections.

Question 5

What influences participation within political parties?

Answer 5

Participation by membership depends on the internal democratic structures of each party.

Question 6

What role do parties play in candidate selection?

Answer 6

Parties select candidates at all levels and provide political training to those deemed suitable for the job.

Question 7

How do parties create leaders?

Answer 7

Parties create leaders who govern the country, as ordinary voters vote for their preferred party rather than directly for a Prime Minister.

Question 8

What is the significance of policy formulation within parties?

Answer 8

Parties discuss and develop policy proposals, presenting them in a coherent programme (the manifesto) to the electorate.

Question 9

What happens to policy when a party is in government?

Answer 9

The policy formed by the party becomes the mechanism for making laws and decisions.

Question 10

What is the role of parties in opposition?

Answer 10

In opposition, parties critique the government and propose alternative policies, allowing general membership to take a more active role.

Question 11

What is ‘aggregation’ in the context of political parties?

Answer 11

Aggregation is the process of converting policies, demands, and ideas into practical policy programmes for government.

Question 12

What would the House of Commons look like without parties?

Answer 12

Without parties, it would be a gathering of individuals driven by personal goals and ambitions.

Question 13

How do parties provide order and cohesion in government?

Answer 13

Parties present voters with a clear choice before an election and allow a single party or coalition to form a government.

Question 14

What is a hidden function of political parties?

Answer 14

A hidden function is their support for the UK system of parliamentary democracy.

Question 15

What happens if a party fundamentally challenges the political system?

Answer 15

It creates political conflict within society, as seen with parties like Sinn Fein in Westminster.

Question 16

What is a political party?

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

What is the main aim of most mainstream UK parties?

Answer 17

Most mainstream UK parties ultimately aim to emerge victorious at a general election.

Question 18

How do political parties differ from pressure groups?

Answer 18

Political parties contest elections to secure control of governmental power, while pressure groups generally have little interest in being elected to office.

Question 19

What is a mandate?

Answer 19

The right of the governing party to pursue the policies it sets out in its general election manifesto.

Question 20

What is a manifesto?

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

What is the Salisbury Doctrine?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

How does the Salisbury Doctrine relate to electoral mandates?

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

What was a significant example of the electoral mandate in practice?

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

What roles do political parties perform in the UK?

Answer 24

Political parties perform five main roles: providing representation, encouraging political engagement and participation, engaging in political recruitment, formulating policy, and providing stable government.

Question 25

How do parties encourage political engagement?

Answer 25

By making the wider citizenry aware of the issues of the day and promoting participation in the democratic process.

Question 26

What is the difference between political parties and pressure groups?

Answer 26

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.