UK Politics (2) Political Parties in Context Flashcards
Define ‘Partisan’…
A strong supporter of a party, cause or person.
Define Bipartisan…
The agreement and cooperation of two political parties who usually oppose each other
Define Canvassing…
When supporters of a party ask voters which party they will vote for and try and drum up support for their candidates.
What does consensus politics mean?
Periods of time when both main parties have mainly agreed over policies
What does adversarial politics mean?
Periods when the main parties have largely disagreed over policies
Periods of consensus politics?
1950s - 1970s when the Conservatives dropped their opposition to the welfare state and Nationalisation.
1997 - 2015 The post Thatcher consensus when New Labour embraced Thatcherite policies
A period of adversarial politics
1979 - 1990 Thatcherism opposed by a left wing Labour Party led by Foot and a slightly more right wing Labour Party under Kinnock
What is a ‘one-party system’?
A system where only one party is allowed to operate.
What is a dominant - party system?
A system where more than party are allowed to operate but only ONE party has a realistic chance of winning.
Define a two-party system…
A system where only two parties have a realistic chance of winning
Define a three-party system…
A system where two parties dominate but often not enough to govern alone. A third party has a pivotal position.
Define a multi-party system..
a system where a number of parties contest power.
The effect of different electoral systems…
FPTP - Tends to favour two main parties.
PR - Tends towards multi party systems
Hybrid systems are unpredictable
Westminster elections are best described as…
A two party system
Factors that affect party success…
Leadership
Party unity
Media coverage
