The Political Spectrum and The Nature of Politics

Question 1

What is the Political Spectrum?

Answer 1

A device by which different standpoints can be mapped across one axis or more, as a way of demonstrating their ideological position in relation to one another.

Question 2

When did the simple left-right political spectrum emerge?

Answer 2

Revolutionary France at the end of the 18th century

Question 3

What is the welfare state?

Answer 3

A system that protects the health and well-being of its citizens, especially those in financial or social need, by means of grants, pensions, and other benefits. The foundations for the modern welfare state in the UK were laid by the Beveridge Report of 1942; proposals such as the establishment of a National Health Service and the National Insurance Scheme were implemented by the Labour administration in 1948

Question 4

What is private enterprise?

Answer 4

Business or company managed by independent companies or private individuals rather than being controlled by the state.

Question 5

What is the left-right political spectrum

Answer 5

Question 6

What is fascism?

Answer 6

An authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organisation

Question 7

What direction of gov does the UK centre their battle on?

Answer 7

socialists and conservatives

Question 8

What is a ‘broad church’

Answer 8

group, organization, or set of beliefs that includes a wide range of different opinions or ideas

Question 9

What is left-wing?

Answer 9

importance of creating a fair and equal society through positive state intervention. For example: higher tax on wealthy, extensive welfare provision, greater state influence in economy.
left is socially progressive and favours an internationalist approach to global problems

Question 10

What is right-wing?

Answer 10

beliefs derive from liberal and conservative ideology
liberal focus on limiting excessive gov, taxation low, protecting individual liberty
emphasises conservative values such as law and order and importance of national sovereignty and strong defence

Question 11

What are some left-wing political ideas?

Answer 11

1. positive view of state and collectivist view of society
2. gov should reduce inequality and encourage social cohesion by providing an extensive welfare state
3. wealthier in society pay higher share of cost through redistributive taxation
4. gov should play major role in economy through nationalisation of key industries
5. close relations with trade unions
6. embraces multiculturalism. socially libertarian and supports alternative lifestyles having equal status with more traditional ones

Question 12

What is a trade union?

Answer 12

an organised association of workers in a trade, group of trades, or profession, formed to protect and further their rights and interests

Question 13

What are some right-wing political ideas?

Answer 13

1. importance of giving individual as much control over their own life as possible
2. reject left-wing attempts to encourage greater equality-free market operates best with little gov
   3.gov aim to keep taxation as low as possible and trade union influence lowered
   4.nationalised firms privatised as companies operate best with competition
3. emphasises importance of shared national identity and encourages traditional lifestyles

Question 14

What is pragmatism?

Answer 14

dealing with a problem in a sensible way that suits the conditions that really exist, rather than following fixed beliefs

Question 15

How is ‘left-right’ politics being replaced with ‘pick-and-mix’ politics?

Answer 15

political parties are becoming more internally divided than ever
may want to slash welfare but spend more on NHS

Question 16

What does dichotomy mean?

Answer 16

division/split

Question 17

What does ‘consensus’ mean?

Answer 17

very little ideological differences between the parties and a great deal of agreement between them.
may disagree on the details of policy but there is a general agreement over the main goals of the policy

Question 18

What does ‘adversary’ mean?

Answer 18

considerable conflict and disagreement between the parties on fundamental matters
could be divisions within the parties

Question 19

When was the first period of consensus politics in recent UK history?

Answer 19

1950s-1970s

Question 20

How was 1950-1970 a time of consensus politics?

Answer 20

labour gov under Clement Atlee had undertaken major programme to reform UK
Welfare state created and NHS, major industries nationalised, old-age pensions
CP came to power in 51- they accepted labour reforms and built on them.

Question 21

How was 1997-2015 a time of consensus politics?

Answer 21

post-Thatcher consensus
‘new labour’ with Tony Blair- there was a general political agreement over key political issues
3 main parties shared similar aspirations

Question 22

When is a period of adversary politics in recent UK history?

Answer 22

1979-90 Margaret Thatcher’s gov

Question 23

How was 1979-90 a time of adversary politics?

Answer 23

‘New Right’ politics with the conservatives whilst labour moved more left
2 parties had very different visions for the UK
For example:
public industries privatised but labour wanted to nationalise
trade unions were restricted
labour opposed the ‘right to buy’ policy
income tax for high-income groups were reduced (conservative)

Question 24

Why was there a time of adversary politics from 2015?

Answer 24

Election of JC in Labour party caused deep divisions within the party and between parties
However election of Keir Starmer in 2020 during pandemic heralded consensus politics in the name of national unity.