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AS Politics > Unit 1 > Flashcards

Unit 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Define politics

A

How power is divided up between state, institution and individuals

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2
Q

What is political culture?

A

Ideas, belief and attitudes shaping political behaviour

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3
Q

Define homogeneity

A

Belief of shared common heritage and identity

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4
Q

What is consensus?

A

Rule of the game - toleration, pragmatism, peaceful negotiation and compromise

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5
Q

What is deference?

A

‘Born to rule’ - elite acceptance of class hierarchy and inequality

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6
Q

What reform increased electorate to almost 2.5 million?

A

1867 Parliamentary Reform Act

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7
Q

What was the Ballot Act of 1872?

A

Attempt to deal with electoral malpractice

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8
Q

Describe the corrupt and illegal practices act of 1883

A

Ballot Act failed to remove bribery, act defined how much money could be spent

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9
Q

When was Parliamentary Reform Act that created uniformed franchise across county?

A

1884

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10
Q

What Reform gave growing town right to more seats?

A

Redistribution of Seats Act of 1885

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11
Q

When was the parliament act?

A

Parliament Act reduced power in House of Lords in 1911

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12
Q

What did the first representation of the people’s act in 1918 give people the right too?

A

Gave all men over 21 and all women over 30 ability to vote

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13
Q

What was the difference between 1918 representation of the people and the 1928?

A

Women got same right as men

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14
Q

When was voting after lower to 18?

A

1969

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15
Q

What is the Primacy Model?

A

Long term factors are more important then short term ones

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16
Q

Which model states voting patterns are volatile and processes like embourgeoisement led to class and party realignment?

A

Regency

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17
Q

What is the social structure model?

A

Emphasis on influence of social changes on election outcome, social factors change slower

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18
Q

What is the model that basis on an individual identification with a party no matter what?

A

Party identification model

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19
Q

What is the rational choice model?

A

Rational judgements on basis of current policy and issues

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20
Q

What is the voting context model?

A

Individuals voting patterns may vary over elections about different issues?

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21
Q

Define tactical voting

A

Voting for party/ person who normally don’t support in order to stop your least favourite from gaining power.

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22
Q

Describe the AMS voting system

A

Hybrid system, two votes (one for constituency, second for top-up), results are proportional to amount of seats

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23
Q

Where is AMS used?

A

Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly

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24
Q

What are the advantages AMS?

A

Broadly proportional and greater choice of candidates

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25
Q

What are the disadvantages of AMS?

A

Creates two categories of representation and parties have significant control of lists

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26
Q

Describe FPTP?

A

Electorate votes for one candidates, winner takes all, candidates needs one more seats then opposition to win

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27
Q

Where is FPTP used?

A

U.K. General elections

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28
Q

What are the benefits of FPTP?

A

Simple to understand and count and clearly expresses opinions of electorate.

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29
Q

What are the cons of FPTP?

A

Tactical voting encouraged and safe votes

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30
Q

Define Participation

A

Electorates involvement in politics

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31
Q

What is Apathy?

A

State of being passive or indifferent towards political institutions

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32
Q

What is Hapathy?

A

Is happiness towards how government is operating

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33
Q

State the influencing factors for participation

A

Type of election, apathy, value of vote, media, centralisation, type of electoral system

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34
Q

What are methods to counteract low participation?

A

Easier to register, make every vote count, system more representative, compulsory voting and online voting

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35
Q

Which countries have compulsory voting?

A

Australia

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36
Q

Which countries have online voting?

A

Estonia

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37
Q

What is a totalitarian democracy?

A

A Government has complete control over state e.g. North Korea

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38
Q

What is a direct democracy?

A

Citzens are given direct input into decision making processes

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39
Q

What is a representative democracy?

A

Elected representative, represents individual in government

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40
Q

What is a Liberal Democracy?

A

Free and fair elections

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41
Q

What are the issues with UK democracy?

A

FPTP, lack of reform, voter turnout, rise of Quango, no codified constitution

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42
Q

What is a Quango?

A

Semi-public administrative body outside civil service but receives financial support e.g. forestry commission

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43
Q

What was the turnout in 2015 general election?

A

66.1%

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44
Q

Which country has the highest turnout?

A

Australia (95% )

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45
Q

Which county has the lowest turnout?

A

USA (48%)

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46
Q

What are the short-term factors that affecting voting behaviour?

A

Media, campaign, current issues, party leaders, policies

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47
Q

What are the long-term factors that affecting voting behaviour?

A

Habit, income, trust, religion, education, gender

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48
Q

Define class voting

A

Voting for a party that reflects your class

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49
Q

Define partisanship

A

Long-term feelings of attachment to one party

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50
Q

Define social mobility

A

Ability to move through social system

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51
Q

Describe Regional List

A

Form of PR, single vote for party or independent, seats given out in relation to percentage of votes in region

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52
Q

Where is regional list used?

A

European Parliament Elections

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53
Q

What are the advantages of Regional List?

A

Proportional representation and increased in minority candidates

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54
Q

What are the disadvantages of Regional List?

A

Voters can vote for the same party more than once and parties can manipulate lists

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55
Q

Describe STV

A

Candidates ranked by the voter, the first choice doesn’t win then voters the second choice is taken into considerations. Need to surpass benchmark of 100% ➗number of seats available to win

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56
Q

Where is STV used?

A

Northen Ireland Elections

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57
Q

What are the advantages of STV?

A

Proportional Outcomes, large range of candidates and no wasted votes

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58
Q

What are the disadvantages of STV

A

Multi-member constituency have weak links to whole constituencies and coalitions are likely

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59
Q

Describe AV

A

Candidates ranked, first votes counted if one candidate gets 50% then they are automatically elected, if not then the second and third preference candidates are factored in until someone reached 50%

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60
Q

Where is AV used?

A

Australian Lower House

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61
Q

What are the advantages of AV?

A

Winner is elected by majority, have to gain broad support and links between representatives and area

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62
Q

What are the disadvantages of AV?

A

Not proportional, most votes might not win and extremist party may gain influence

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63
Q

Describe SV

A

Variant of AV except to columns are used and then it is done the same way

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64
Q

Where is SV used?

A

London Mayor Election

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65
Q

What are the advantages of SV?

A

Winner must have broad support and minority second votes are not counted

66
Q

What are the disadvantages of SV?

A

Don’t need all first votes to win and doesn’t produce a proportional outcome

67
Q

Define Pluralist democracy.

A

More than one voice, freedom of association to any party

68
Q

What is a majoritarian system?

A

Number of votes doesn’t equal number of seats won, most votes in constituency win outright

69
Q

Define coalitions

A

Government made up of more that one political party

70
Q

What is the alternative to a coalition?

A

Hung parliament

71
Q

What makes it hard to distinguish between two parties?

A

Centralisation of ideologies and neoliberalism

72
Q

Define first order elections

A

Where excutive powers are chosen

73
Q

Define second order elections

A

Elections where non-executive powers are chosen

74
Q

What are examples of second order elections?

A

By-elections and European Parliment Elections

75
Q

What is a citizens jury?

A

Group of 18-24 selected citizens that come together to deliberate on an issue

76
Q

What is a citizen assmebely?

A

Body form of citizens to consider issues of national importance and decisions have to go through referendum to become law

77
Q

Define referendum

A

Vote on single issue put to public ballot by government

78
Q

What are initiatives?

A

US citizens can call public ballot on issue

79
Q

What are the advantages of referendums?

A

Encourages politcial particpation, reflects electorate and legitmises changes

80
Q

What are the disadvantages of referendums?

A

Don’t have many referndums, many focus on power distribution and only called when confident on result

81
Q

What are examples of referendums?

A

2011 AV, 2014 Scottish Independence and 2016 Brexit

82
Q

What was the turnout for the 2016 EU referendum?

A

72.21%

83
Q

Define Opinion Polls

A

Survey of public opinion from sample of population to calculate what rest think

84
Q

What are the issues with opinion polls?

A

They don’t always predict the right outcome

85
Q

What two methods are there for opinion polls?

A

Random (use of electoral roles) and quote sampling (door to door surveying)

86
Q

What is issue voting?

A

Public opinion influenced parties publishing manifestos

87
Q

When does a campaign start?

A

4 weeks before elections

88
Q

Who monitors spending of parties?

A

Electoral Commission

89
Q

What is the purpose of campaigning

A

Reinforces votes and catches swinging votes

90
Q

Define mass media

A

Range of media that is broadcast on mass

91
Q

What are the advantages of mass media?

A

Direct contact with voters, advertising through buzz created and tailoring messages to individual

92
Q

What are the disadvantages of mass media?

A

Controversy around ability to manipulate, weighing on public opinion and many over power few

93
Q

What are the main issues that the electorate focus on?

A

Economy, health, education and crime

94
Q

What is the job of the media?

A

Report, monitor, interpret and inform the masses

95
Q

Define a cause group

A

Open membership from public and promote a cause

96
Q

Define an interest group

A

Open to certain individuals, memberships for unions

97
Q

Define an insider group

A

Close links with government gives advice and consulted

98
Q

Define an outsider group

A

Often takes actions that government disapproves of

99
Q

Give three examples of a cause group

A

Green Peace, Unlock Democracy and NSPCC

100
Q

Give an example of an interest group

A

BMA

101
Q

Give an example of an insider group

A

Dog’s Trust

102
Q

Give two examples of an outsider group

A

Fathers 4 Justice and Amnesty International

103
Q

What are pressure groups aims?

A

Practical achievability is extent to which group’s main goals are achievable

104
Q

What are pressure groups resources?

A

Pressure groups inevitably shaped by resources available

105
Q

What are pressure groups status?

A

Outside groups often achieve more media coverage

106
Q

Define pressure group

A

Group of like-minded individuals who come together and apply pressure on policy makers

107
Q

What is a single issue pressure groups?

A

Focuses on single issue

108
Q

Give an example of single-issue group

A

Snowdrop Campaign

109
Q

What was the Snowdrop Campaign?

A

After Dunblane school shooting in 1996, country rallied and resulted in banning of handguns

110
Q

What is New Pressure Groups Politics?

A

Social movements, direct action campaign

111
Q

What is the difference between Single Issue Groups and New Pressure Group Politics?

A

New Pressure Group Politics isn’t as organised

112
Q

What are the roles of a pressure group?

A

Participation, representation and education

113
Q

What are conventional methods?

A

Letter writing, consultation, lobbying, collecting information and legal challenges

114
Q

What are direct methods?

A

Occupying areas, marches, violent activity and threats?

115
Q

What is the elitist theory?

A

Society dominated by the rich, more money better you do

116
Q

What is the Anthony Downs Attention Cycle?

A

This process follows the structure as follows first the pre-problem stage, followed by the alarmed discovery and euphoric enthusiasm, which is then slowed by the realisation of how much cost of change would be, this means that the campaign sees a gradual decline in intense public support until it reaches it post-problem stage where it has been replaced by another issue meaning that the cycle keeps going.

117
Q

What are the access routes to the government?

A

Local government, devolved parliament or assemblies, UK parliament, UK government, UK judiciary, council of the EU, EU court of Human Rights, European Commission and Parliament

118
Q

Define supranational

A

Issue that is beyond one country

119
Q

What happened in 1972 that meant it is a good idea for pressure groups to lobby at EU level?

A

EU law takes precedence over UK law

120
Q

Define a Eurogroup

A

Like-minded pressure groups join together, increase size and coverage, EU provide access points for pressure groups

121
Q

What are advantages of pressure groups?

A

Naturally occurring, organise and articulate opinions, additional participation, representation of opinion, role of moderating views, educating public

122
Q

What are disadvantages of pressure groups?

A

Lack legitimacy, passive members, unreliable, favour elitism, effects government policy, non-member groups are a front for business interests

123
Q

Define social movement

A

Long term campaign for improvements to some areas of society

124
Q

Give an example of social movement

A

Black Lives Matter

125
Q

Define Policy Committee

A

Middle point between party and pressure group, aim to change public policy

126
Q

What are sources of income for political parties?

A

Membership subscriptions, money from unions

127
Q

Define kleptocracy

A

Rich leaders help rich friends become richer

128
Q

What did the political parties, elections and referendums act of 2000 do?

A

Limits the spending in elections and establish electoral commissions

129
Q

When was the second political parties and elections act and what did it do?

A

Tighten regulations, imposed fines and made need for all donations over £7500 to be declared

130
Q

What public funding is available to parties?

A

Short money fund, Cranborne Money Payments, grants from PPERA and all parties receive subsided TV adverts

131
Q

How does the labour party form policys?

A

2 year cycle, national policy forum propose policy which then formalised in the NEC before being voted on at party conference

132
Q

How does the conservative party form policys?

A

Offical bodies (number 10 policy unit, 1922 committee and policy comission) and influencial bodies (think tanks, conservative policy forum and 2020 committee)

133
Q

Examples of a mainstream party

A

Labour, conservative and Liberal Democrats

134
Q

Examples of minority party

A

SNP, UKIP and pro-life alliance

135
Q

Why have niche party memebership grown?

A

Lose of faith in main parties and centralisation

136
Q

Define single party system

A

One party dominates

137
Q

Examples of a single party system

A

North Korea

138
Q

Define dominant party system

A

One party mostly dominates

139
Q

Example of dominant party system

A

Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party

140
Q

Define a multi-party system

A

Parties compete for power and government may have coalitions

141
Q

Example of multi-party system

A

UK

142
Q

Define ideology

A

System of ideals which form basis of social/economic policy

143
Q

Whats is conservatism?

A

Pragmatic approach, stick to status quo

144
Q

Whats is paternalist conservatism?

A

Power and authority centralisation, state acts benevolently

145
Q

Whats is Thatcherism ?

A

No help from government, intervention fails batter to let fail

146
Q

Whats is Third Way?

A

Camero challenged with uniting party

147
Q

Define neo-liberlism

A

Importance of free market and limited intervention

148
Q

Define Keynesianism

A

Government pays people to do jobs on mass instead of social benefits

149
Q

How did the Labour party form?

A

Workers who were unhappy about industrial conditions and distribution of wealth, aided by reforms giving votes to poor

150
Q

Whats is new labour?

A

After fall of Berlin Wall, left mover to centre

151
Q

What is triangulation?

A

Melding together core party, principles and values

152
Q

What is third way?

A

Evolution of triangulation, midpoint between capitalism and socialism

153
Q

Why could it be consider the end of ideologies?

A

After flourish of traditional idealogical movements, arguable that lose of power to inspire and mobilise masses, parties centralised themselves by traditional values

154
Q

What is the Labour leadership selection process?

A

Leadership elections operate under electoral colleges and then using an AV (1/3 held by Parliamentary Labour Party, 1/3 held by ordinary party member)
Nominated by 12.5% of party when there is a vacancy (20% where there is challenge)
If no candidates secure 50% of votes then further ballots held

155
Q

What is the Conservative leadership selection process?

A

Current system introduced 1998
Only sitting MP’s who take party whip and have been seconded can stand for election
Series of ballots held among MP’s eliminating bottom candidate
Last two candidates elected by postal vote

156
Q

What is the Labour party structure?

A 
Local Level (BLP's discusses political issues and send motions to CLP)
Constituency Level (based on electoral districts)
Regional Level (Scotland and Wales own executives, England divided into regional boards) 
National Level (NEC's oversees work of party)
157
Q

What is the Conservative party structure?

A

Conservatives have team of voluntary workers in the local area and corresponds with parliamentary constituency
For organisational purposes, country is broken up into regions and then split into areas
National convention is effectively, comprised of all association chairs, officers from areas and representatives as well as 42 representatives
Board has ultimately decision-making body of Conservative Party (in charge of fund-raising, membership and candidates)

158
Q

What are the roles of political parties?

A

Representation, participation, political recutiment, policy formation and providing a stable government

159
Q

Define embourgeoisement

A

The process of becoming middle-class; the assimilation into the middle class of traditionally working-class people

160
Q

Define party list

A

People in each party that are standing for election

AS Politics (2 decks)

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