week 6 notes Political parties

A comprehensive set of flashcards based on the lecture on British politics and government focused on political parties.

What are the three dimensions of a political party?

1) Party in the Electorate, 2) Party in Government, 3) Party as Organization.

What is conventional wisdom regarding the current state of political parties in Britain?

Parties are in crisis, particularly Labour and Conservative, with a decline in partisan attachment and membership.

What was the combined voter percentage for Conservative and Labour in the 1979 election?

81%.

What was the combined voter percentage for Conservative and Labour in the 2024 election?

57%.

What are the hypotheses for the decline of the two-party system?

Emergence of new issues, policy positions too similar, and performance issues.

According to critics, why have Labour and Conservative parties become elitist?

They are viewed as being run by middle-class professionals rather than engaging with citizens.

What does E.E. Schattschneider say about the importance of parties in modern democracy?

Modern democracy is unthinkable save in terms of parties.

What value do parties provide procedurally?

Enhance smooth government operations, recruit candidates, and hold the government accountable.

How do parties serve a representational function for voters?

They structure political choices, allowing citizens to decide who governs and contribute to policy debates.

What contemporary challenge do most political parties face?

Declining membership and participation.

What phenomenon has led to increased membership in certain third parties?

Non-traditional leaders have revitalized interest.

What is the tension between party members and party leadership?

Members desire influence, but leaders may prioritize electability.

What happens when MPs and party members want different leaders?

This can cast doubt on the legitimacy of leaders and weaken party effectiveness.

What is a key challenge in structuring a leader selection process for political parties?

It must balance member voice without giving too much power.

Who ultimately decides on a party's candidates for the House of Commons?

Local constituency associations, guided by national party rules.

What has changed in party support patterns since the 1980s?

A reduced sense of attachment to parties leading to more floating or swing voters.

What does ENEP stand for?

Effective Number of Electoral Parties.

What does ENPP stand for?

Effective Number of Parliamentary Parties.

What was one significant effect of the 1832 Reform Act on political parties?

It expanded the electorate, leading to more political organization.

What did the 1867 Reform Act accomplish?

Created a much larger electorate and necessitated parties to interact with voters.

In the 19th century, how did the Conservative and Liberal parties develop?

They created hierarchical structures with parliamentary ties and voluntary party support.

What did Disraeli's 'One Nation' conservatism focus on?

Creating alliances between the upper and working classes.

What was the Labour Party's origin?

A coalition of socialism and trade unionism formed in 1900.

What were the early principles of the Labour Party?

Full employment, public ownership, social services, and investment in education.

Who was the first Labour Prime Minister?

Ramsay MacDonald.

What did Clement Attlee achieve as Labour Prime Minister?

Created the National Health Service and established a social welfare state.

What central debate emerged within Labour by the 1950s?

The necessity of public ownership vs. supporting a mixed economy.

How did Tony Blair modernize the Labour Party?

He shifted it to the center and rebranded it as 'New Labour'.

What was the significant outcome of the 2010 election in terms of party majority?

No party had a majority; it led to a coalition government.

What electoral challenges did the Liberal Democrats face under FPTP?

They had many votes but were inefficiently distributed, resulting in few seats.

What has been a major characteristic of Scottish and Welsh nationalist parties?(SNP, Plaid Cymru)

Focus on regional identity and independence.

What did UKIP primarily advocate?

Opposition to metropolitan elites and addressing concerns of the 'left behind'.

What is a significant electoral challenge faced by 'third parties'?

Winning seats under the first-past-the-post system despite having substantial vote shares.

What did the concept of 'critical elections' suggest?

Elections that signal significant change in party dynamics or voter alignment.

What is the current status regarding two-party dominance in UK politics?

Some argue it continues, while others point to the rise of third party influence.

How has party identification changed in recent decades?

Increased class and partisan dealignment with more floating voters.

What impact did the 2010 coalition government have on party dynamics?

It indicated potential changes in party representation and alignment.

What is a common criticism of current party practices?

Parties claim too much influence and control despite a diverse society.

How are referenda viewed in the context of evolving political representation?

They are seen as alternatives to traditional parliamentary representation.

What has Brexit's impact been on the political system?

It caused significant upheaval, questioning the sovereignty of parliament.