Political Parties facts Flashcards
(31 cards)
Functions of a political party
- Representation
- Policy formulation
- Recruitment of leaders
- Organisation of government
- Participation and mobilisation of electorate
Functions of a PP: Representation
- Often seen as the primary function of parties
- Link government to the people by responding to public opinion
- Winning party can therefore claim a popular mandate to carry out its policies
BUT
- Electorate is not always well informed and rational when choosing parties to vote for
- Because of FPTP electoral system parties may only need 35-40% of votes to win GE
Functions of a PP: Policy formulation
• Parties develop programmes of government when seeking government
• Parties initiate and formulate sets of policies for the electorate
BUT
• In recent years, parties have distanced from traditional ideologies (become less interested in formulating larger goals for society)
• Have become more interested in following public opinion vs trying to shape it by adopting clear ideological stances.
Functions of a PP: Recruitment of leaders
• As a party member, future politicians gain experience of canvassing, debating issues and helping to run a constituency party
• Parties recruit and train future political leaders
BUT
• Governments are appointed from majority party, rely on a relatively small pool of talent
• Electioneering and other party activities are poor training for running large government department
Functions of a PP: organisation of government
• Operation of government relies on parties
• Parties help form government
• Give government stability and coherence
• Facilitate cooperation between legislative and executive
• Provide opposition and criticism – help scrutinise government
BUT
• There has been a decline in party unity since 1970s -> weakens party’s control of commons
Functions of a PP: representation and mobilisation
• Provide opportunities for citizens to join political parties
• Help educate and mobilise electorate through canvassing, public meetings, advertising, poster campaigns, party broadcasts, etc.
BUT
• Voters’ loyalty and identification with parties has declined. In 1964, 44% of electorate had a ‘very strong’ attachment to party. In 2005, only 10% said this
• Turnout in GE has fallen since 1997, only 59% turnout in 2001, 65% turnout in 2010
• Membership of parties has fallen – Now, fewer than 1% of people in the UK belong to a political party, whereas it was 7% in the mid-1900s
What is a single-party system?
One party puts up candidates for election, other parties banned, undemocratic & authoritarian. e.g. Nazi Germany or Communist Soviet Union.
What is a two-party system?
• Two-party system – Two parties compete for power on an equal or near equal basis. Other parties win few seats and exercise little power. e.g. Britain 1945-79, USA.
What is a multi-party system?
More than two parties compete for power. Power may alternate between various parties or be shared in coalitions. e.g. Italy produces continuous multi-party coalitions.
Advantages of a two-party system
+provides voters with a clear choice between rivals
+provides a strong and stable government due to a clear majority being created
+if the government fails, there is another party ready to take over (e.g. shadow cabinet)
+government is clearly accountable
Disadvantages of a two-party system
- adversarial politics may not be desirable
- encourages polarisation rather than consensus
- inefficient because huge swing in policies if government changes
What is Keynesian economics?
State should manage the economy
What is mixed economy?
Economy including both privately owned businesses and nationalised industries
Definition of absolute equality
when people have the same material wealth or in which the general economic conditions of their lives are the same
Definition of relative equality
When people have the same opportunities to succeed, unhampered by artificial barriers or prejudices or preferences
Differences between the left and right wings? (5)
Left: -Stress the importance of equality and community -Support for progressive taxation -Support for redistribution of wealth -Support for greater welfarism -Support for more government spending Right: -Stress the importance of freedom and the individual -Support for lower taxation -Support for individuals looking after themselves -Opposition to redistribution of wealth -Opposition to more government spending
Differences between Old Labour and New Labour (economy)
Old Labour:
• Regulation of economy
• Nationalization
• Keynesian approach to stimulating economic growth
• state intervention to ensure full employment
New Labour:
• Public sector borrowing acceptable for investing in public services
• Mostly free markets
• State role in enforcing competition/fair trade
• Partnerships between state and private sector in public services
Differences between Old Labour and New Labour (trade unions)
Old Labour: Strong trade unions needed to protect workers
New Labour:
There should be a limited role for trade unions
Differences between Old Labour and New Labour (Welfare state)
Old Labour:
• The welfare state is a way of compensating for disadvantage and redistributing income
• All welfare services should fall under the control of the state •
New Labour:
• Benefits should be used to empower people to get into work; not for redistribution of income
• Private sector should be involved in providing services if it could improve quality
Differences between Old Labour and New Labour (law and order)
Old Labour:
Tackle the causes of crime, especially economic causes (e.g. poverty)
New Labour:
Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime – a clear mixture of both aspects but became increasingly authoritarian
Differences between Old Labour and New Labour (EU)
Old Labour:
Largely anti-European, Britain should be free to protect domestic industries
New Labour:
Britain to play a full part in the EU whilst maintaining own independence; cautious support for the Euro
Difference between Old Labour and New Labour (general)
New Labour is more right wing - after Thatcher, Labour tried to build on certain aspects, such as tougher law and order and freer markets, rather than completely reversing it.
Is Miliband more Old Labour or New Labour?
Old Labour evidence:
• -opposes cut in top rate of income tax to 45%
• Won leadership due to Trade Union support (lost amongst MPs and MEPs)
• Opposes predator capitalism
• In 2014, (at Labour Conference) proposed 36,000 new staff for the NHS (echoes Old Labour)
• -government mandated freeze in energy prices
New Labour evidence:
• Supports “Blue Labour”
• Supports a “living wage” not just a minimum wage
• Opposes abolition of Educational Maintenance Allowance
• Supports government’s freeze on public sector pay – criticized public sector strikes in 2011 and 2012
(More left version of New Labour)
What is One Nation Conservatism?
- Originated with Benjamin Disraeli- he supported measures to improve lives of people to provide social support and protect working classes
- Believes in organic society in which different classes have natural obligations to one another.
- Society is naturally hierarchal, the people at the top have an obligation to the people at the bottom – noblesse oblige.
- A sense of pragmatism: if the ruling class was indifferent to the suffering of people, society would become unstable
- It is not individualistic
- Tradition is important in developing a sense of community
- The state has a role to play – but ONC emphases role of churches, voluntary bodies, etc (Disraeli legalised trade unions)
