TOPIC 2 - PART 2 - Party Policies and Ideas (INCL. CONSERVATIVE PARTY)

Question 1

What is a political party?

Answer 1

A political party is an association of people who hold similar political views and who have the goal of implementing those views by becoming a government or sharing in government.

Question 2

What are the main FEATURES of political parties

Answer 2

1. COMMON IDEOLOGY and a shared set of principles
2. UNITED by IDEAS and VALUES and wish to promote these and manage the country according to them.
3. They normally have a FORMAL ORGANISATION with leadership, active members and a mass membership.
4. They have MECHANISMS for developing policy, selecting candidates for office and identifying leaders

Question 3

What are the main FUNCTIONS of political parties?

Answer 3

1. They convert ideas and values into policies that are workable as a political programme
2. They contest elections by way of a manifesto (statement of policies and intentions)
3. They select people to stand for election to local councils and devolved assemblies and to EU parliament.
4. They provide the people for government if they win
5. They provide representation and speak up for various sections of the community.
6. They provide political education for the general public about what options the cpuntry should take.

Question 4

What is meant by left wing and right wing?

Answer 4

This is a way of dividing political ideas into two main areas.

LEFT WING is focused on socialism and collectivism, equality and social justice.

RIGHT WING is focused conservatism, belief in free markets, nationalism and law and order.

Question 5

Describe 6 areas that are characterised by the political LEFT WING

Answer 5

1. COLLECTISM - belief that goals can be achieved by collective action as well as by efforts of individuals.
2. STATE - the idea of the STATE as being an essential and positive force in the lives of all.
3. . INDIVIDUAL - the interests of the wider community are often superior to the interests of individuals.
4. DISTRIBUTION - fairer distribution of benefits such as health, education and social insurance
5. SOCIAL - positive view of human nature and belief that humans are essentially social animals rather than self-seeking individuals
6. FREEDOM - support for the idea of equality, freedom and common good

Question 6

Describe 6 areas that are characterised by the political RIGHT WING

Answer 6

1. COLLECTISM - individuals should pursue their own goals and may see their own interests as more important than those of the wider community
2. STATE - State should have limited role in people’s lives
3. INDIVIDUAL - firm belief in the importance of the individual and the expression of individual choice
4. DISTRIBUTION - having inequality is a good thing and can provide incentives for individuals to improve themselves and not rely on the state.
5. SOCIAL - belief that individuals have flawed human nature and therefore need discipline
6. FREEDOM - peace and security of the community is more important than the rights and freedoms of individuals

Question 7

Give three features of consensus politics?

Answer 7

1. General agreement between the parties within a particular policy area.
2. A period of politics when there are wide areas of agreement on key issues.
3. An agreement between parties not to engage in political conflict on an issue because there is an overwhelming need for unity.

Question 8

What are the two main feature of adversary politics?

Answer 8

1. High degree of ideological conflict between the main parties.
2. few areas of agreement between the parties

Question 9

In 2011 give three examples of consensus politics

Answer 9

1. Overwhelming need to reduce harmful emissions which cause climate change
2. British involvement in the Afghanistan conflict is justified
3. There is a need to bring down the huge government financial deficit although parties differ on how quickly this should be done

Question 10

In 2011 give three examples of adversary politics

Answer 10

1. Whether there needs to be extensive reform within the NHS
2. How to deal with the high levels of crime and the growing prison population
3. Whether the ability of trade unions to call strikes should be curtailed.

Question 11

What are the two main conservative traditions?

Answer 11

1. Traditional conservatism

2. New Right conservatism

Question 12

Provide 6 ideas and principles of traditional conservatism

Answer 12

1. Order - society needs good order
2. Organic - society should be allowed to develop without state intervention and all sections of society are dependent upon each other.
3. Fear of Diversity - there is a fear that too much social and cultural diversity might threaten social unity.
4. Support for private property and wealth - ownership of property and wealth is important as (a) it is an expression of an individualism and (b) wealthy people have a greater sense of responsibility.
5. Pragmatism - each problem should be dealt with on its own merits and not according to fixed ideology.
6. TRADITION - believe that traditions (in terms of institutions and values) are important for maintaining unity in Society

Question 13

Give 3 examples of policies that TRADITIONAL CONSERVATISM use to support their principle of ORDER

Answer 13

1. Strong authoritarian policies on law and order
2. Taking a hard line against organised protests in society
3. A general belief in a strong government

Question 14

Give 3 examples of policies that TRADITIONAL CONSERVATISM use to support their principle of ORGANIC SOCIETY

Answer 14

1. Parties and governments should NOT seek to impose their own beliefs upon Society
2. Policies should be aimed at maintaining a strong, united society

Question 15

Give 3 examples of policies that TRADITIONAL CONSERVATISM use to support their principle of FEAR OF DIVERSITY

Answer 15

1. Opposition to multiculturism
2. Resistance to large amount of immigration
3. Intolerance towards “UNCONVENTIONAL LIFESTYLES”

Question 16

Give 2 examples of policies that TRADITIONAL CONSERVATISM use to support their principle of TRADITION

Answer 16

1. Opposition to reforms that threaten traditional institutions such as reform of House of Lords, Changing role of monarchy or electoral reform
2. Supporting traditional values such as family and traditional morality

Question 17

Give 3 examples of policies that TRADITIONAL CONSERVATISM use to support their principle ofPRIVATE PROPERTY AND ACCUMULATED WEALTH

Answer 17

1. Taxes on property and wealth should be held down and possibly eliminated
2. Rights of property owners should be protected (via law and order)
3. Wealthy should support less privileged through voluntary work

Question 18

Give 3 examples of policies that TRADITIONAL CONSERVATISM use to support their principle of PRAGMATISM

Answer 18

1. Policies to be judged on their merits regardless of whether they come from the right or the left
2. In foreign policy, UK’s national interest should always be pursued.

Question 19

Provide 7 features of New Right Conservatism or Thatcherism

Answer 19

1. FREE MARKETS AND NEOLIBERALISM - markets should operate freely without intervention from government, trade unions or large powerful corporations
2. ANTI -UNIONISM - they believe that trade unions are a barrier to economic progress as they make labour markets less flexible and drive up wages too high
3. LOW DIRECT TAXATION - direct taxes on individuals and private companies are a disincentive to work and enterprise
4. STATE DISENGAGEMENT - economic problems will resolve themselves in the medium term and the only justifiable intervention by the state was in controlling the flow of money in circulation (known as monetarism)
5. DEPENDENCY CULTURE - too generous welfare benefits acts as a disincentive to work, enterprise and self reliance
6. NEOCONSERVATISM - the more free a society is the greater risk of disorder so law and order and traditional values (Christianity, family) are encouraged
7. PROPERTY - Ownership fo property is important.

Question 20

Give 3 examples of policies that NEW RIGHT CONSERVATISM OR THATCHERISM use to support their principle of FREE MARKETS AND NEOLIBERALISM

Answer 20

1. Most large nationalised industries such as electricity, water, telecommunications, steel, coal were privatised
2. Some industries were open to greater competition such as the legal profession, opticians and financial markets were made more open and banks were allowed to compete with building societies
3. State run services were opened up to competition between the state and private companies

Question 21

Give 3 examples of policies that NEW RIGHT CONSERVATISM OR THATCHERISM use to support their principle of ANTI UNIONISM

Answer 21

1. The legal powers of trade unions were severely reduced
2. Unions were forced to make themselves more internally democratic to break up unaccountable leadership groups.
3. The ability if unions to take industrial action to further their aims was reduced

Question 22

Give 2 examples of policies that NEW RIGHT CONSERVATISM OR THATCHERISM use to support their principle of LOW DIRECT TAXATION

Answer 22

1. Income tax levels were reduced (especially for higher earners) and instead indirect taxes were increased such as VAT
2. Taxes on private company profits were reduced.

Question 23

Give 3 examples of policies that NEW RIGHT CONSERVATISM OR THATCHERISM use to support their principle of STATE DISENGAGEMENT

Answer 23

1. Government did not intervene when there were economic slumps on the early 1980s and 1990s
2. Government controlled money supply tightly

Question 24

Give 2 examples of policies that NEW RIGHT CONSERVATISM OR THATCHERISM use to support their principle of DEPENDENCY CULTURE

Answer 24

1. Welfare benefits reduced or eliminated

2. Benefits were targeted on those in most need and who were unable to be self-reliant

Question 25

Give 3 examples of policies that NEW RIGHT CONSERVATISM OR THATCHERISM use to support their principle of NEOCONSERVATISM

Answer 25

1. Strong policing policies such as greater powers to control demonstrations and public disorder
2. Longer more severe sentences for criminals
3. Support for the institution of traditional marriage

Question 26

Give 3 examples of policies that NEW RIGHT CONSERVATISM OR THATCHERISM use to support their principle of PROPERTY OWNERSHIP

Answer 26

1. Tenants in local authority housing were given the right to buy their homes at discounted prices and mortgage rates
2. The markets supplying mortgages were opened up to greater competition and it was made easier for families to obtain mortgages and other credit.

Question 27

What is NEOLIBERALISM

Answer 27

It means a belief in free markets and economic freedom and any problems in the markets will be resolved by the markets.

Question 28

Name 5 differences between New Right and Traditional Conservatism

Answer 28

1. SOCIETY - Traditional conservatives see Society as organic whereas New Right see society as a collection of individuals (Thatcher once said - there is no such thing as Society)
2. INTERVENTION - Traditional conservatives support free markets but take a pragmatic view of economic management whereas New Right are opposed to any state intervention.
3. STATE CONTROL - Traditional conservatives believe in some key industries remaining under state control whereas New right prefer to eliminate any state-controlled industries
4. WELFARE STATE - Traditional conservatives are more supportive of welfare benefits as compared to New Right
5. PRAGMATIC - Traditional conservatives take a pragmatic view of policies judging each case on ts merits whereas New Right tend to govern on fixed ideas

Question 29

Name 5 similarities between New Right and Traditional Conservatism

Answer 29

1. Both take an authoritarian view of law and order issues.
2. Both support traditional Christian, family and British values
3. Both believe in free markets and low taxation but New Right take a more extreme view
4. Both see private property ownership as a key element to a social responsibility and order
5. Both movements are nationalists in outlook and have ben determined to pursue national interests