PARTIES Flashcards

1
Q

What is a political party?

A

A group of people that is organised for the purpose of winning government power. Parties do this by putting candidates up for election in the hope of gaining representation and ultimately forming (or participating in) government

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2
Q

Function of political parties?

A
Representation 
Policy formulation 
Recruitment of leaders
Organisation of government
Education, participation + mobilisation of electorate
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3
Q

Representation?

A

Represent the people, respond to public opinion in formulating policies
Winning party can claim public mandate to rule and translates public opinion into government policy

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4
Q

Problems with Rep function?

A

Neglects minority
Electorate may not make an informed/rational choice
FPTP means that parties may win only 35-40% of vote. Also in US more people voted for Hillary than Donald

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5
Q

Policy formulation?

A

To get elected, parties have to formulate coherent policy programmes for government
Provides a choice of realistic and achievable options to the electorate

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6
Q

Problems with policy formulation?

A

Circumstances change
Mandates are non binding (e.g. Clegg with tuition fees)
Parties are more inclined to follow than shape public opinion by responding to opinion polls
Implies parties always have specific, coherent policies
Parties have become less ideological so no longer form big pic policy programmes with long term goals

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7
Q

Recruitment of leaders?

A

Politicians all start by joining a political party and gain experience of campaigning and debating in constituencies before being nominated as a parliamentary candidate

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8
Q

Problems with recruitment of leaders?

A

You can be popular within ur party but not appeal to wider public (e.g. Corbyn)
Govs can only be formed from MPS of the majority party- small pool of talent to draw from
Electioneering and party activities may not be good training for running a large gov department

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9
Q

Organisation of gov?

A

Whichever party wins a majority forms a government- i.e. UK has system of ‘party government’
Give government stability- all drawn from one party so should be united
Facilitate cooperation betw parliament and the executive/gov
Provide opposition, criticism and scrutiny of gov policy

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10
Q

Problems with organisation of government?

A

Party unity is weakening so there are tensions in ruling party (eg Brexit) … neither strong gov, nor effective opposition
Relying on the next largest party for opposition - no guarantee of size or quality

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11
Q

Education, participation and mobilisation of electorate?

A

Citizens can join political parties and help to shape party policy- which may become gov policy
Activities in constituencies educate and mobilise electorate eg canvassing, public meetings, advertising and posted campaigns

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12
Q

Problems with education, participation and mobilisation of electorate?

A

Declining voter loyalty to parties
Failing membership of parties: from 3 mil in the 1960s to 384000 now
Failing turnout in elections suggest voters are not mobilised to participate:
59% turnout in 2001 (lowest since 1918)
65%. 2010
66%. 2015
(Post war it was betw 80-90%…)

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13
Q

Authoritarian ideology?

A

State is more important than the individual

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14
Q

Liberal ideology?

A

Individual is more important than the state

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15
Q

Right wing ideology?

A

Light regulation/freedom of markets

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16
Q

Left wing ideology?

A

State control and ownership

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17
Q

Sweeping up party?

A

Trying to stitch together a coalition of voters who had different reasons to dislike gov in party (eg Labour betw late 70s-mid 80s against Thatcherism)

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18
Q

Core constituency?

A

The people who are loyal voters to the same party in particular constituency

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19
Q

One nation politics?

A

The idea that the nations issues can be resolved if everyone unites, reconciling the nations internal differences, provided that the elected government is prepared to act as an ‘honest vroker’

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20
Q

Catch all party?

A

Not ideologically driven- a party that aims to catch all possible voters

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21
Q

Strengths of 2 party system?

A

Political info is easy to understand as each party can represent their road political philosophy
Balance within a party is achieved due to broad range of interests which party has to accommodate for when making decisions
Easy to govern/discourages radical minor parties so more harmonious
Political stability (1 party gains majority) - this leads to economic growth
Fewer voting choices which helps voters make a better decision

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22
Q

Weaknesses of 2 party system?/ why we don’t rly have one anymore

A

Two main parties are vulnerable to third party revival at by elections and nationalist parties in wales and Scotland
Class dealignment: erosion of link betw socio-economic factors and voting behaviour (formerly important for catch all parties…esp Labour w working class)
Offers limited options: it is impossible for 1 party to tackle all interests of a particular voter segment (voter will prob disagree with one bit of party)
Partisanship… USA gridlock (brings gov to standstill)
Promotes corruption… concentration of power means big contributors would want something in return for supporting a campaign which then shifts gov policy (Bernie ecclestone and Blair)

Ignores alternative, more radical voices: 3rd parties are ignored due to winner-takes all voting mechanic where losing candidates lose relevance even if they have a major following. In a multiparty system debate and diverse views are encouraged as coalitions are formed from major and minor parties uniting

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23
Q

What has helped 2 party system develops in UK recently?

A

In the UK many people are increasingly reluctant to vote and thus don’t research tactical voting (where lib dems are main challengers to main party) and thus don’t vote for lib dems eg
Dismal lib dem opinion poll ratings after the election
FPTP
Long term loss of support for labour and Torres (1974=75%…..2015=67.3%) means third party will hold balance of power in future elections

24
Q

What has weakened 2 party system recentlyv

A

Lib dems gained 22% vote share (65seats) in 2005 and thus voters no longer felt that a vote for a 3rd party was a wasted vote..tactical voting
In 2010 the combined vote share of labour and Tory = 65% (less than 2/3) and thus conservative- lib dem coalition… UK = 2.5 party state?
In 2010 lib dem support surged after televised leadership debate but they lost seats under FPTP system which was revalidated in the subsequent AV referendum : they could only b junior party in coalitions
Compromises they made (eg tuition fees) caused support to plummet

25
Q

Dominant party system and evidence?

A

U.K. = dominant system since 1979 (even if life for dominant party= short for international standards)
Tories easily reelected in 83+87 and despite problems over poll tax and Thatcher despotism, they still managed a 92 victory too
Labour =1997,2001 and 2005 (despite Iraq policy disaster)

26
Q

Arguments for 2 party system?

A

Lib dems didn’t do better in 2010!than they did in 74
Poor conservative leader/campaign in 2001 but lib dems didn’t come close to challenging 2nd place
Lib dems flopped in coalition

27
Q

Arguments for 2.5 party system?

A

In 2010 elections lib dems had 62 MPs
Similar result was expected in 2015
Long term declining support for labour and tories

28
Q

Arguments for dominant party system?

A

The leading opposition group should have a reasonable expectation of winning power at next election… Corbyn= no chance :(

29
Q

Arguments for multiparty system?

A

2010 election: 2 main parties only got 65% of the vote and the other 35% went to a range of other parties
UKIP success…electoral system (FPTP) holds other parties back

30
Q

Main ideas of Thatcherism 1

A

Belief in free markets and small state (gov’s job is to not have a big job)
The gov should b limited to defence of the realm and currency- everything else should b left to individuals who could then exercise their own choices and take responsibility for their own lives
Traditional Victorian fam values- eg Section 28 of Local Gov Act 88
Affinity with USA

31
Q

Main features of Thatcherism

A

Commitment to reducing powers of state (welfare = ‘damaged’ society due to decline in personal responsibility threatening British moral fabric)
State was inefficient compared to private sector
Inequality didn’t need limits- it was good as it motivated hard work ensuring longtime economic prosperity
Opposed a corporatist style of policy making (trade unions shut)

32
Q

Main features of one nation conservatism?

A

Dominant til mid 60s
Paternalistic: rich should help poor
Accepted belief in hierarchy: social assistance isn’t for equality but to improve conditions for the poor
Belief that too much inequality damages social order: everyone shouldn’t be equal but disparities shouldn’t be huge
Support construction and maintenance of welfare state which provides a min standard of living and contributes to minimising equality
WANTED TO MAINTAIN POST-WAR SOCIAL ORDER AND SENSE OF DUTY (NOT EMPOWERMENT TO POOR
Still ideological - but ideologies aren’t dogmatic (more flexible)

33
Q

Evidence that Cameron was Thatcherite?

A

Raised inheritance tax threshold to 1 mil (2010)
Cut top rate of tax from 50% to 45%
Scrap tax credits for 3rd child 2015)
Privatisation of Royal Mail (monopolising state industry for private ownership) … but only 50%
Raise tuition fees to 9k from 3.2k (state doing less by giving less money to unis)
Introduction of free schools beyond gov control
Wanting to overturn ban on fox hunting
Restrict benefits for EU immigrants/EU referendum/ wanting to scrap HRA

34
Q

Evidence that Cameron wasn’t Thatcherite?

A

Support for the legalisation of Gay marriage
Introduction of national living wage
Improving standards of education

35
Q

Is Theresa may more Thatcherite than Cameron?

A

There have been notable shifts from Cameron to may, not least the ending of deficit reduction as the priority of gov through increased borrowing to raise public spending
There have been some notable policy changes/new ideas e.g. Grammar schools
Too early to tell

36
Q

Who published the longest suicide note? When?

Relevant element?

A

Michael Foot’s 1983 election manifesto

Called for withdrawal from EEC

37
Q

What’s clause 4?

A

Clear commitment to public ownership of key industries and a redistribution of wealth
I.e. The party would work to get economy in hands of the people through the stage
1918

1995 rewriting claims competition of capitalism is good for thriving public sector and hq public services

38
Q

Why did new labour emerge?

A
After election defeats in 79, 83 and 87 combined with class dealignment labour looked to broaden its appeal beyond core working class support
Are leaders like Neil Kinnock started 'outreach' programmes ... most closely associated with Blair
39
Q

Features of new labour?

A

Less powerful role of trade unions
Rebranding exercise to appeal to middle classes
Iconic clause 4 was controversially reworded (some critics accused Blair and other labour modernisers of abandoning the socialist principles upon which the party was founded)
Characterised by triangulation

40
Q

What’s triangulation?

What’s it closely linked to?

A

Melding together core Labour Party principles and values (e.g. Party’s commitment to greater social justice, with the lessons learnt from Thatcherism)
Closely linked to the notion of a Third Way- ideological position betw conventional socialism and mainstream capitalism (Blair’s middle way)

41
Q

Democratic socialism?

Who supports this?

A

Advocates political democracy but also social (i.e. State) ownership of the means of production
Position of many of the hard left labour/ standpoint of Old Labour

42
Q

Social democracy?

Who supports this?

A

Accepts the basic principles of capitalism while calling for a higher lever of wealth redistribution
This is the standpoint of the New Labour group who would position themselves left of the centre but nowhere as extreme as Old Labour

43
Q

How was Ed new labour?

A

Russel brand interview
Equality of opportunity rather than outcome
Cut tuition fees only to 6000£
Would reform the EU but believes the economic case for membership is overwhelming

44
Q

How was Ed ‘red ed’?

A

Introduce mansion tax on £2mil homes
Abolish non dom status
Promise to cap the profits of private providers in the NHS at 5% (NL encouraged these privatised owners)
Ban creation of free schools in adea where there is a surplus of places (unlike Cameron who pledged to open 500 new free schools)
Pledged to freeze rail fares for 1 year, cap the fare on every route and give passengers a ‘new legal rights to get cheapest ticket for their journey
Ban the recruitment of iverseas workers (not v capitalist)
Plans to break up major banks

45
Q

What did Miliband believe capitalism in the uk should be?

A

‘Rewired’ - the stage must intervene in certain markets

46
Q

NL attitude to business (Blair)

A

Labour cuts tax on private companies
Part privatised National Air Traffic services selling 51% in 1998
Outsourcing public services to private services
Corporation tax (paid on profits) was cut from 33 to 28%
1997- Bank of England given independence from political control

47
Q

NL attitude to role of private sector?

A

Foundation Hospitals introduced
Academies introduce
University tuition fees (first allowed to charge fees in 1998 initially capped at 1000£ but rose to 3000£ in 2004

48
Q

NL attitude to economy?

A

Privatise via competition
Lower taxes to encourage international investment
Leave economy to free market
Stick to Tory spending patterns- spent less than tories but borrowed more (had surplus)
Private sector bids for contracts to finance, build, manage infrastructure (e.g. Hospitals) renting the service back to taxpayers over several decades
Use more discreet STEALTHY taxes : NI rates increase in 2002, reduce tax free savings made under saving schemes like ISA, 1997 Windful tax

49
Q

NL attitude for social (inc welfare, health and infrastructure)

A

Achieve equality
Wanted to find a ‘third way’
Equality of outcome goes to equality of opportunity
‘The New Deal’= workfare programmes that tried to reduce unemployment by providing work experience
1998 minimum wage set at £3.60
Tax credits to incentivise employment
36,000 new teachers
274000 more support staff
14000 more police in England and Wales
Ban on gay people serving in military 2000
Gender Recognition Act 2004

50
Q

Was NL successful?

A

Labour had 26.6% in 1983 general election

Labour had 418 seats in 1997 general election

51
Q

Other features of Blair/NL?

A

Media obsessed (milbank hq- media spin on stories)
They dropped socialism
Blair praised thatcher
Style of leadership- more liberal, informal but image conscious
New labour legacy- centre ground is the new norm

52
Q

Bernie ecclestone scandal?

A

With blair’s approval ecclestone donated £1 mil
Therefore when NL were gonna ban tobacco advertising from sport grounds in Oct 1997, ecclestone asked him to exempt Formula 1
Blair agreed
Suggested link was hotly denied by downing strest
Gordon brown claimed not to know about it… behind closed sores he said ‘I lied! My accountability will be in sheds’
People who donated almost always got peerages that next cycle

53
Q

More red ed?

A

Those earning £150,000 will face a 50% tax date
Min wage will rise to more than £8/hour by oct 2019 and employers will be given tax rebates for paying the living wage
Zero hour contracts will b banned
Bedroom tax will be abolished, while properties worth more than £2mil will face a mansion tax to raise £2,5bn for NHS
Gas and electricity prices will be frozen until 2017 while the ‘broken’ energy market is reformed
Laws will b introduced to make 3 year tenancies the norm, with a cap on excessive rent rises and a ban on ‘unfair’ letting agent fees
Labour will invest £2.5bn more than tories to recruit 8000 more GPs, 20000 more nurses and 3000 more midwives
Ministerial pay will be cut and then frozen until the books are balanced and MPs will be banned from holding paid dictatorship and consultancies
EU to be reformed so that ‘it works for britain’ with an in/out referendum if any more powers are transferred to Brussels

54
Q

More New labour ed?

A

The deficit will be cut every year and eliminated as soon as possible in the next parliament
Not one of Labour’s manifesto commitments requires additional borrowing (repeated 5x)
Business rates will be cut and then frozen, with a pledge to guarantee the most competitive corporate tax rates in the G7
Child benefit rises will b capped for 2 years

55
Q

Factions in the Tory power?

A

One nation: TORY REFORM GROUP anti Brexit, middle way)
Thatcherite/New Right: CONSERVATIVE WAY FORWARD
Traditional social conservatives: CORNERSTONE GROUP
Liberal modernisers: 2020 CONSERVATIVES

56
Q

Corbyn trident position?

A

Lifelong member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and supporter of unilateral disarmament
Believes Britain should get rid of its nuclear weapons, as part of a move towards a ‘nuclear free world’, and is firmly opposed to the renewal of the country’s Trident nuclear weapons
But labour’s official policy is to renew trident