u1t1

=**__Political Parties__**=


 * //Unit 1 Theme 1//**

What is a political party and what role does it play? How do political parties contribute to democracy? Ideology of the main parties Party Systems



What is a political party and what role does it play?

 * What is a political party?**
 * An **//organisation//**
 * Aiming to **//gain political power//** and be the govt.
 * Members **//share//** //**beliefs**// stemming from ideology
 * They will **//formulate//** //**policies**// based on those ideologies.
 * During general elections they will present those policies in a **//manifesto//** to the general public.
 * e.g. Labour and Conservatives, more successful, seats in Commons.


 * The functions of political parties**
 * 1) **Competition –** voters have a choice, keeps govt. in check
 * 2) **Policy –** making choice coherent, parties provide ‘best fit’ ‘basket’ of policies
 * 3) **Scrutiny –** opposition keeping government in check
 * 4) **Recruitment**
 * 5) **Participation –** encourages voting, party membership offers canvassing leafleting, Labour uses referenda to increase participation, parties mobilise opinion encouraging debate.
 * 6) **Governing –** parties provide candidates to become MPs
 * 7) **Communication / Representation –** to and from the public, parties provide the electorate on certain issues; they raise issues of public concern, Labour’s ‘big conversation’.

**How do political parties contribute to Democracy?**

 * Offer the electorate a **coherent choice**
 * **Educate** the electorate
 * Encourage **participation**
 * Facilitate **accountability**
 * Generate **new ideas** for changing times
 * Act as a **training ground** for future political leaders

However, 
 * **Party choice is limited –** as minor parties don’t receive seats.
 * **Not all parties have democratic structures –** voters have no choice over their party’s MP, they can either accept the party’s candidate or not vote for the party.
 * **Collective party accountability can hurt individual candidates**
 * **Political parties tend to water down policy so that it appeals to more people**

The Main Parties

 * What are the Conservatives’ key ideas? (before 2006)**
 * “Rolling back the state” – individuals should not be held back by state and should make their own way.
 * Tendency to adopt conservative stance on moral issues e.g. sexual equality, b/c big supporters of traditional values like the family, church and monarchy.
 * Emphasis on the need for tradition and continuity. Sceptical of change e.g. const. reform
 * Small but strong state on issues concerned with law and order.
 * Low taxation
 * Free market


 * What is the ideology of the Liberal Democrats?**
 * Formed by a fusion of the old Liberal party with the SDP, a breakaway from Labour.
 * Belief in **//mixed economy//** b/c individuals must be free to pursue own interests.
 * Important to balance this with equality of opportunity – a chance to progress politically, economically, socially. Favours greater spending on **//social welfare//** agree with **//higher taxes.//**
 * Strong emphasis on **//individual rights//** and freedoms, particularly moral and social issues.
 * Strong emphasis on **//political equality//** and fairness, therefore strongest supporters of **//constitutional reform//**.
 * Share Labour’s concerns about social justice.
 * Commitment to **//Europe//**. The most consistent champions of British involvement with the European Union.

**Party Systems**
//1.// **//One Party States (dictatorship)//** · North Korea //2.// **//Dominant Party System//** · Other parties allowed · One party always wins //3.// **//Two party system//** · UK (until the 80’s, when Lib Dems started being a pain), USA · 2 parties compete for power · May use coalitions in PR eg. Germany, Italy //4.// **//Multi Party//** · Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland, Holland · More than two parties have a chance of winning (usually due to PR)

· Provides voters with clear choice between rivals e.g. Old Labour & Conservatives. Politics easier to understand – has produced higher turnouts in the UK. · Provides strong and stable govt b/c party in control normally has clear majority and therefore able to implement policies in manifesto. Results clearer as tactical voting doesn’t happen · If the govt fails or loses its way, there is always a govt in waiting, especially with the Shadow Cabinet. This keeps the government on its toes.
 * What are the advantages of the two-party system?**

· Adversarial politics may not be constructive or desirable. It can result in unnecessary and harmful exaggeration of the differences between the parties. (Not really a factor 1951 – 62) · Encourages polarisation (taking the opposite stance) rather than consensus. · Parties not really representative as mostly below 50% of support therefore questionable mandate. · Inefficient b/c huge swings in govt policy if party changes, especially in the early 1970s. · Undermines importance of HoC, as debates rarely change anything. · Can allow those with extreme views to flourish. (Normally these MPs would cost the party votes). · Lib-Dems and Minor Parties (SNP, PC etc) sidelined, or forced into being ‘clients’ of the big boys (i.e. the Ulster Unionists and the Tories before 1969).
 * What are the disadvantages of the two-party system?**


 * How has the FPTP system upheld two-party politics?**

· Winner takes all idea – even if a stronger third party did emerge, they would be badly under-represented by FPTP – or would do so at the expense of the 2nd placed party. This would lead to a phase of one party rule until the fight between the 2nd and 3rd parties was decided (Liberals and Labour 1922 – 1935). · Too many safe seats – many wasted votes and stagnation. (UK elections are usually won and lost across 100 key marginals). · Regional support traditionally for Conservatives & Labour upheld by FPTP. Whereas Lib. Dems do not have a clear regional bias (except in the SW esp. Cornwall) · It is not just electoral system that effects party system. e.g. social system – clear class system in 40s, 50s, 60s – large working class linked to Labour & MC link to Conservative. · Also, traditionally two opposing ideologies but now ideological flux. Therefore the right of the spectrum is much more fragmented – more opportunity for other smaller right of centre parties.