Uk Politics-functions and features

Question 1

Political party definition

Answer 1

Organisation of people with similar political values and views which develops a set of goals and policies that it seeks to convert into political action by obtaining government office, or share in government, or by influencing the government currently in power.
It may pursue its goals by mobilising public opinion in its favour, selecting candidates for office, competing at elections and identifying suitable leaders.

Question 2

Features of parties

Answer 2

. Members of parties share similar political values and views
. Parties seek either to secure the election of their candidates as representatives or to form the government at various levels (local,regional,national)
. Have some kind of organisation that develops policy, recruits candidates and identifies leaders

Question 3

Adherents

Answer 3

Members of the party

Question 4

Variation in features of parties

Answer 4

. Mass membership parties with many adherents - others have a small leadership group who seek supporters rather than members (US parties)
. Highly organised with a formal permanent organisation (German Christian Democrats) less permanent organisation (US parties)
. Narrow range of values and intensely united (left wing socialist parties) others have a very broad range of views and so may be divided into factions (UK Conservative Party)
. Some parties are focused on gaining power while others know they won’t so seek to influence the political system (green parties)

Question 5

Manifesto

Answer 5

A pre-election document in which a party sets out a series of policy pledges and legislative proposals that it plans to enact if elected

Question 6

Mandate

Answer 6

The rights of the governing body to pursue the policies it sets out in its manifesto. The mandate gives the governing party the authority to pursue its stated policies, without the need to go back to voters for further approval. However, it does not require the government to deliver on its manifesto promises or prevent it from drafting proposals that were not included in its manifesto

Question 7

Salisbury Doctrine

Answer 7

The origins of this doctrine lie in the idea of a mandate developed by the conservative prime minister Lord Salisbury in the late 19th. It developed in the 1940s as a constitutional convention, that the unelected HOL should not frustrate the will of the elected Commons.

Question 8

House of Commons
House of Lords

Answer 8

Elected
Unelected

Question 9

Bill

Answer 9

Idea that is discussed, debated and voted on

Question 10

Rules of manifesto

Answer 10

. Politics parties uses its manifesto to set out a coherent body of policies that it would seek to pass into law if elected into office. Since they were elected it is said to have earned an electoral mandate.
. Popular support at the ballot box is interpreted as support for the manifesto
. Salisbury doctrine holds that the elected HOL should not oppose any bill included in manifesto

Question 11

Electoral mandate

Answer 11

The right to implement it’s stated policies

Question 12

Does the concept of an electoral mandate make sense? (Yes)

Answer 12

. High level of individual voter registration
. Single party gov- victors should have the right to implement their stated policies
. Doctrine assumes electors have full knowledge of the manifestos so can make rational judgement- manifestos are available to voters
. Summaries of main policies are disseminated by mainstream media
. Mandate strengthens government - gains legitimacy for its policies
. MPs from winning party who are elected are ‘bound in’ by the mandate

Question 13

Does the concept of an electoral mandate make sense (no)

Answer 13

. Low turnout at recent general elections- can hardly claim to have secured a convincing mandate
. Coalition govs- mandate is unclear- 2 parties must compromise
. Most voters pay little attention to party manifestos
. Concept of mandate is flawed because it’s impossible for voters to cast a ballot for or against a given party on the basis of a single policy
. Voters do not have to agree with all manifesto commitments
. Some manifesto commitments may be vague and open to interpretation

Question 14

Functions of parties

Question 15

Policy

Answer 15

A set of intentions, or a prolifically programme developed by parties or by the governments. Policies reflect the political stance of parties and governments

Question 16

Making policy (function)

Answer 16

Ruling party controls gov and most policy is made by ministers and their advisors
Backbench MPs, local activists and ordinary members have some say through conferences and committees
Opposition parties do make policies as they see themselves as government in waiting. General membership of the party can have considerable input into policy-making. They can communicate to leadership which ideas and demands they would like to see as ‘official’ policy and likely to become gov policy one day. This policy-formulating function is known as aggregation which involves identifying the wide range of demands made on the political system.

Question 17

Making policy (function)

Answer 17

Ruling party controls gov and most policy is made by ministers and their advisors
Backbench MPs, local activists and ordinary members have some say through conferences and committees
Opposition parties do make policies as they see themselves as government in waiting. General membership of the party can have considerable input into policy-making. They can communicate to leadership which ideas and demands they would like to see as ‘official’ policy and likely to become gov policy one day. This policy-formulating function is known as aggregation which involves identifying the wide range of demands made on the political system.

Question 18

Partisan dealignment

Answer 18

A process which began in the 1970s whereby voters who used to be strongly attached to one party, identified with that party, and always voted for it, detached themselves from that relationship in ever greater numbers. It is closed associated with class dealignment.

Question 19

Class dealignment

Answer 19

A trend whereby fewer people consider themselves to be a member of a particular social class and so class has a decreasing impact on their voting behaviour

Question 20

Populism

Answer 20

A political movement, often represented by a political party, that appeals to people’s emotions, and which tends to find supporters among sections of the community who feel they have not been represented by conventional politics and politicians.

Question 21

Representation (past)

Answer 21

Many parties, in the past claimed to represent a specific section of society, CP C19th century largely existed to protect the interests of the landed gentry and aristocracy. LP developed C20th century to represent interests of working class and trade union members. However in contemporary society this has changed due to partisan and class dealignment.

Question 22

Representation (present)

Answer 22

All main parties argue that they represent the national interest and not just the interests of specific classes or groups. Parties do have a representative function but today they seek to ensure that all groups in society have their interests at least considered by government. In reality parties tend to be biased towards the interests of one section of society.

Question 23

Representation (populist parties)

Answer 23

Populist parties tend to emerge rapidly and disappear equally as quickly. Typically, they represent people who feel they have been ignored by conventional parties. The appeal of populist parties is usually emotional or visceral and plays on peoples fears and dissatisfactions. Can be both left and right wing.

Question 24

Issue parties

Answer 24

Represent a particular cause. Green parties are the best example.

Question 25

selecting candidates

Answer 25

select candidates to fight local, regional, mayoral and general elections. The national party leadership have some influence over which candidates are chosen but local constituency parties have the greatest part to play:
. find prospective candidates who go through a selection process to become an approved candidate
. to contest at general election, once candidate wins a seat, claim to have an electoral mandate to represent that seat in HoC.

Question 26

Deselect candidates

Answer 26

Local party can deselect them from fighting the next election if their views are too opposed to those of local activists- don’t feel they are aligned with certain policies. highlights significance of local party
example: Momentum- a movement that supported Jeremy Corbyn when he was leader of the LP used the method of deselection to ensure Labour MPs at Westminster represented the interests of local party activists who were more favourable towards JC rather than the parliamentary party.

Question 27

How do parties identify leaders?

Answer 27

In CP, two MPs names will go forward for party members to decide between.
current rule states that if an MP can secure the backing of 10% of parliamentary party, their name will go forward to party membership to vote on.

Question 28

How are elections organised?

Answer 28

the way parties campaign is a key part of the democratic process.
publicising election issues, persuading people to vote.
party activists deliver leaflets, and political hustings (small debate)

Question 29

Political education

Answer 29

Informing the people about political issues of the day.
Media to some extent has taken over.
Internet and social media have marginalised the parties.
Pressure groups have an increasing role in informing the public.

Question 30

Reinforcing consent

Answer 30

Vital function in the mobilisation and reinforcement of consent. All main parties support political system of the UK- parliamentary democracy.
Parties are part of the process that ensures that the general population consents to the system.
If parties were to challenge the political system it would create political conflict with it society.