Unit 1 Flashcards
1
Q
Define politics
A
How power is divided up between state, institution and individuals
2
Q
What is political culture?
A
Ideas, belief and attitudes shaping political behaviour
3
Q
Define homogeneity
A
Belief of shared common heritage and identity
4
Q
What is consensus?
A
Rule of the game - toleration, pragmatism, peaceful negotiation and compromise
5
Q
What is deference?
A
‘Born to rule’ - elite acceptance of class hierarchy and inequality
6
Q
What reform increased electorate to almost 2.5 million?
A
1867 Parliamentary Reform Act
7
Q
What was the Ballot Act of 1872?
A
Attempt to deal with electoral malpractice
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
9
Q
When was Parliamentary Reform Act that created uniformed franchise across county?
A
1884
10
Q
What Reform gave growing town right to more seats?
A
Redistribution of Seats Act of 1885
11
Q
When was the parliament act?
A
Parliament Act reduced power in House of Lords in 1911
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
13
Q
What was the difference between 1918 representation of the people and the 1928?
A
Women got same right as men
14
Q
When was voting after lower to 18?
A
1969
15
Q
What is the Primacy Model?
A
Long term factors are more important then short term ones
16
Q
Which model states voting patterns are volatile and processes like embourgeoisement led to class and party realignment?
A
Regency
17
Q
What is the social structure model?
A
Emphasis on influence of social changes on election outcome, social factors change slower
18
Q
What is the model that basis on an individual identification with a party no matter what?
A
Party identification model
19
Q
What is the rational choice model?
A
Rational judgements on basis of current policy and issues
20
Q
What is the voting context model?
A
Individuals voting patterns may vary over elections about different issues?
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.
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
23
Q
Where is AMS used?
A
Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly
24
Q
What are the advantages AMS?
A
Broadly proportional and greater choice of candidates
25
What are the disadvantages of AMS?
Creates two categories of representation and parties have significant control of lists
26
Describe FPTP?
Electorate votes for one candidates, winner takes all, candidates needs one more seats then opposition to win
27
Where is FPTP used?
U.K. General elections
28
What are the benefits of FPTP?
Simple to understand and count and clearly expresses opinions of electorate.
29
What are the cons of FPTP?
Tactical voting encouraged and safe votes
30
Define Participation
Electorates involvement in politics
31
What is Apathy?
State of being passive or indifferent towards political institutions
32
What is Hapathy?
Is happiness towards how government is operating
33
State the influencing factors for participation
Type of election, apathy, value of vote, media, centralisation, type of electoral system
34
What are methods to counteract low participation?
Easier to register, make every vote count, system more representative, compulsory voting and online voting
35
Which countries have compulsory voting?
Australia
36
Which countries have online voting?
Estonia
37
What is a totalitarian democracy?
A Government has complete control over state e.g. North Korea
38
What is a direct democracy?
Citzens are given direct input into decision making processes
39
What is a representative democracy?
Elected representative, represents individual in government
40
What is a Liberal Democracy?
Free and fair elections
41
What are the issues with UK democracy?
FPTP, lack of reform, voter turnout, rise of Quango, no codified constitution
42
What is a Quango?
Semi-public administrative body outside civil service but receives financial support e.g. forestry commission
43
What was the turnout in 2015 general election?
66.1%
44
Which country has the highest turnout?
Australia (95% )
45
Which county has the lowest turnout?
USA (48%)
46
What are the short-term factors that affecting voting behaviour?
Media, campaign, current issues, party leaders, policies
47
What are the long-term factors that affecting voting behaviour?
Habit, income, trust, religion, education, gender
48
Define class voting
Voting for a party that reflects your class
49
Define partisanship
Long-term feelings of attachment to one party
50
Define social mobility
Ability to move through social system
51
Describe Regional List
Form of PR, single vote for party or independent, seats given out in relation to percentage of votes in region
52
Where is regional list used?
European Parliament Elections
53
What are the advantages of Regional List?
Proportional representation and increased in minority candidates
54
What are the disadvantages of Regional List?
Voters can vote for the same party more than once and parties can manipulate lists
55
Describe STV
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
56
Where is STV used?
Northen Ireland Elections
57
What are the advantages of STV?
Proportional Outcomes, large range of candidates and no wasted votes
58
What are the disadvantages of STV
Multi-member constituency have weak links to whole constituencies and coalitions are likely
59
Describe AV
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%
60
Where is AV used?
Australian Lower House
61
What are the advantages of AV?
Winner is elected by majority, have to gain broad support and links between representatives and area
62
What are the disadvantages of AV?
Not proportional, most votes might not win and extremist party may gain influence
63
Describe SV
Variant of AV except to columns are used and then it is done the same way
64
Where is SV used?
London Mayor Election
65
What are the advantages of SV?
Winner must have broad support and minority second votes are not counted
66
What are the disadvantages of SV?
Don't need all first votes to win and doesn't produce a proportional outcome
67
Define Pluralist democracy.
More than one voice, freedom of association to any party
68
What is a majoritarian system?
Number of votes doesn't equal number of seats won, most votes in constituency win outright
69
Define coalitions
Government made up of more that one political party
70
What is the alternative to a coalition?
Hung parliament
71
What makes it hard to distinguish between two parties?
Centralisation of ideologies and neoliberalism
72
Define first order elections
Where excutive powers are chosen
73
Define second order elections
Elections where non-executive powers are chosen
74
What are examples of second order elections?
By-elections and European Parliment Elections
75
What is a citizens jury?
Group of 18-24 selected citizens that come together to deliberate on an issue
76
What is a citizen assmebely?
Body form of citizens to consider issues of national importance and decisions have to go through referendum to become law
77
Define referendum
Vote on single issue put to public ballot by government
78
What are initiatives?
US citizens can call public ballot on issue
79
What are the advantages of referendums?
Encourages politcial particpation, reflects electorate and legitmises changes
80
What are the disadvantages of referendums?
Don't have many referndums, many focus on power distribution and only called when confident on result
81
What are examples of referendums?
2011 AV, 2014 Scottish Independence and 2016 Brexit
82
What was the turnout for the 2016 EU referendum?
72.21%
83
Define Opinion Polls
Survey of public opinion from sample of population to calculate what rest think
84
What are the issues with opinion polls?
They don't always predict the right outcome
85
What two methods are there for opinion polls?
Random (use of electoral roles) and quote sampling (door to door surveying)
86
What is issue voting?
Public opinion influenced parties publishing manifestos
87
When does a campaign start?
4 weeks before elections
88
Who monitors spending of parties?
Electoral Commission
89
What is the purpose of campaigning
Reinforces votes and catches swinging votes
90
Define mass media
Range of media that is broadcast on mass
91
What are the advantages of mass media?
Direct contact with voters, advertising through buzz created and tailoring messages to individual
92
What are the disadvantages of mass media?
Controversy around ability to manipulate, weighing on public opinion and many over power few
93
What are the main issues that the electorate focus on?
Economy, health, education and crime
94
What is the job of the media?
Report, monitor, interpret and inform the masses
95
Define a cause group
Open membership from public and promote a cause
96
Define an interest group
Open to certain individuals, memberships for unions
97
Define an insider group
Close links with government gives advice and consulted
98
Define an outsider group
Often takes actions that government disapproves of
99
Give three examples of a cause group
Green Peace, Unlock Democracy and NSPCC
100
Give an example of an interest group
BMA
101
Give an example of an insider group
Dog's Trust
102
Give two examples of an outsider group
Fathers 4 Justice and Amnesty International
103
What are pressure groups aims?
Practical achievability is extent to which group's main goals are achievable
104
What are pressure groups resources?
Pressure groups inevitably shaped by resources available
105
What are pressure groups status?
Outside groups often achieve more media coverage
106
Define pressure group
Group of like-minded individuals who come together and apply pressure on policy makers
107
What is a single issue pressure groups?
Focuses on single issue
108
Give an example of single-issue group
Snowdrop Campaign
109
What was the Snowdrop Campaign?
After Dunblane school shooting in 1996, country rallied and resulted in banning of handguns
110
What is New Pressure Groups Politics?
Social movements, direct action campaign
111
What is the difference between Single Issue Groups and New Pressure Group Politics?
New Pressure Group Politics isn't as organised
112
What are the roles of a pressure group?
Participation, representation and education
113
What are conventional methods?
Letter writing, consultation, lobbying, collecting information and legal challenges
114
What are direct methods?
Occupying areas, marches, violent activity and threats?
115
What is the elitist theory?
Society dominated by the rich, more money better you do
116
What is the Anthony Downs Attention Cycle?
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
What are the access routes to the government?
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
Define supranational
Issue that is beyond one country
119
What happened in 1972 that meant it is a good idea for pressure groups to lobby at EU level?
EU law takes precedence over UK law
120
Define a Eurogroup
Like-minded pressure groups join together, increase size and coverage, EU provide access points for pressure groups
121
What are advantages of pressure groups?
Naturally occurring, organise and articulate opinions, additional participation, representation of opinion, role of moderating views, educating public
122
What are disadvantages of pressure groups?
Lack legitimacy, passive members, unreliable, favour elitism, effects government policy, non-member groups are a front for business interests
123
Define social movement
Long term campaign for improvements to some areas of society
124
Give an example of social movement
Black Lives Matter
125
Define Policy Committee
Middle point between party and pressure group, aim to change public policy
126
What are sources of income for political parties?
Membership subscriptions, money from unions
127
Define kleptocracy
Rich leaders help rich friends become richer
128
What did the political parties, elections and referendums act of 2000 do?
Limits the spending in elections and establish electoral commissions
129
When was the second political parties and elections act and what did it do?
Tighten regulations, imposed fines and made need for all donations over £7500 to be declared
130
What public funding is available to parties?
Short money fund, Cranborne Money Payments, grants from PPERA and all parties receive subsided TV adverts
131
How does the labour party form policys?
2 year cycle, national policy forum propose policy which then formalised in the NEC before being voted on at party conference
132
How does the conservative party form policys?
Offical bodies (number 10 policy unit, 1922 committee and policy comission) and influencial bodies (think tanks, conservative policy forum and 2020 committee)
133
Examples of a mainstream party
Labour, conservative and Liberal Democrats
134
Examples of minority party
SNP, UKIP and pro-life alliance
135
Why have niche party memebership grown?
Lose of faith in main parties and centralisation
136
Define single party system
One party dominates
137
Examples of a single party system
North Korea
138
Define dominant party system
One party mostly dominates
139
Example of dominant party system
Japan's Liberal Democratic Party
140
Define a multi-party system
Parties compete for power and government may have coalitions
141
Example of multi-party system
UK
142
Define ideology
System of ideals which form basis of social/economic policy
143
Whats is conservatism?
Pragmatic approach, stick to status quo
144
Whats is paternalist conservatism?
Power and authority centralisation, state acts benevolently
145
Whats is Thatcherism ?
No help from government, intervention fails batter to let fail
146
Whats is Third Way?
Camero challenged with uniting party
147
Define neo-liberlism
Importance of free market and limited intervention
148
Define Keynesianism
Government pays people to do jobs on mass instead of social benefits
149
How did the Labour party form?
Workers who were unhappy about industrial conditions and distribution of wealth, aided by reforms giving votes to poor
150
Whats is new labour?
After fall of Berlin Wall, left mover to centre
151
What is triangulation?
Melding together core party, principles and values
152
What is third way?
Evolution of triangulation, midpoint between capitalism and socialism
153
Why could it be consider the end of ideologies?
After flourish of traditional idealogical movements, arguable that lose of power to inspire and mobilise masses, parties centralised themselves by traditional values
154
What is the Labour leadership selection process?
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
What is the Conservative leadership selection process?
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
What is the Labour party structure?
```
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
What is the Conservative party structure?
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
What are the roles of political parties?
Representation, participation, political recutiment, policy formation and providing a stable government
159
Define embourgeoisement
The process of becoming middle-class; the assimilation into the middle class of traditionally working-class people
160
Define party list
People in each party that are standing for election
