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46 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Features of Political Parties |
Organised; Ideological identity; Primary goal of having some role in government; Strategies for winning support; - Media - Gradually building support personally Select suitable candidates for elections; Rely upon successful leadership |
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Functions of Parties; |
Making policy (aggregation); - Identifying the wide range of demands made by a political environment, and then connecting these into programmes of action that are consistent and compatible Representation; - Seek to ensure that all groups in society have their interests and demands at least considered by government Selecting candidates; - Need to find prospective local councillors, elected mayors, members of assemblies, candidates for the European Parliament, and candidates for the Westminster Parliament Identifying leaders; - PM appoints ministers - Opposition chooses 'front bench' spokespersons who form the leadership Organising elections; - Form part of the process of publicising the election issues - Persuade people to vote - Inform people about candidates Education; - Continuously involved in the process of informing the people about the political issues of the day - Part of this involves educating the public about how the political system itself operates Reinforcing consent; - By operating and supporting the system parties are part of the process that ensures that the general population consents to the system |
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Party Factions |
'Traditionalist' or 'fundamentalist' factionalism; - Cling to long term ideas of the party and oppose attempts to make important reforms Factions that press for reform and feel that the mainstream in the party is too locked into the beliefs of the past; - 'New Labour' Tony Blair - 'New Right' Margaret Thatcher Factions can threaten the electoral prospects of a party when they become too powerful - Labour socialist-modernist split in the 1980s led to crushing defeats in 1983, and 1987 - Conservative EU factions in the 1990s |
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Left in Politics |
State economic planning and nationalism of all major industries; Relaxed approach to government borrowing; Redistribution of income to create a more economic equality; Strong trade unions; Protected rights for workers; Protectionism for domestic industries; Anti-EU; Extensive welfare state; Tolerance of minorities; Stress on equal rights; Liberal attitude towards crime and its remedies; State is justified intervening to create social change |
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Centre in Politics |
Largely free market economy with some state regulation; Pragmatic approach to government borrowing to stimulate economic growth; Pro-free trade; Mild redistribution of income with poverty relief; Pro EU; Strong welfare system but targeted to the most needy; Pro-multiculturalism; Support for rights balanced against need for security; Mixed liberal and authoritarian attitudes to crime; Tolerance attitude to moral issues; State should facilitate individualism |
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Right in Politics |
Strong support for totally free markets; No state intervention in the economy; Very low levels of taxation; Avoidance of excessive government borrowing to stimulate growth; Protectionism for domestic industries; Free labour markets with weak protection for workers; Anti-EU; Very limited welfare system targeted at only a small minority; Anti-immigration, asylum seeking, and multiculturalism; Authoritarian attitude towards crime; Low tolerance on moral issues; Stress on British patriotism; Social change should be natural and organic |
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Left and Right Analysis on the Labour Party |
Small group of simply left known as the 'Socialist Wing'; Left leaning centre left MPs make up some of the party; 'Blue Labour' right on many issues |
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Left and Right Analysis on the Conservative Party |
Small right wing faction represented by an organisation known as the 'Cornerstone Group' supported by 30 or so MPs and their peers; 'Conservative Way Forward' dedicated to progressing the reforms undertaken by Margaret Thatcher; - Keep the neo-liberal policies of that era 'Runnymede Tories' compelled by a strong belief in civil liberties and the tradition of ancestral freedoms - Issue for the British Bill of Rights of the HRA, David Davis |
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Left and Right Analysis on the Liberal Democrat Party |
'Orange Bookers' with neo-liberal free market policies of the Thatcher era; - David Laws leads the group 'Bevridge Group' Centre Left Social Democrat Policies |
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Traditional Conservative Ideas: Human Nature |
Man is imperfect and driven by decisions for self interest like physical prosperity, for power, and for avoidance of deprivation and therefore people cannot be trusted with government as they will use it for their own ends; People are untrustworthy, self serving, and feckless, and as such need of firm governance; - Need to be governed by benevolent rulers - 'Conservative Paternalism', the relationship between the government and its citizens should be that of a parent to a child It is normal for humans to think of themselves first; the interests of society tend to be a secondary consideration to people; The causes of crime and disorder are within the individual |
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Traditional Conservative Ideas: Order |
Mankind's most basic need is for order and security; - Not individual freedom like liberals believe - Not a preference for collective pursuit of goals like socialists believe Security above the rights of the individual; Caution and preserving order above promoting 'dubious' new ideas - Until Thatcher that is |
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Traditional Conservative Ideas: Tradition and Preservation |
Preservation of traditional institutions; - Monarchy - Church constitutions - Political Constitutions Preservation of values; - Marriage - Nuclear Families - Religion - Established Morality Fact that institutions have survived is a testament to their quality is the general conservative argument; - 'accumulated wisdom of the past' Give people a sense of security through continuity |
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Traditional Conservative Ideas: The Organic Society and One Nation Toryism |
Need to unite nation to prevent social conflict; - Even though we are divided into social classes, these classes should work together to maintain the welfare of the nation - David Cameron's Big Society The nation needs to care about the welfare of everyone so that is doesn't become divided into two nations, the wealthy and the deprived |
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Traditional Conservative Ideas: Pragmatism |
Flexible approach to politics; - Incorporating an understanding of what is best for people, what is acceptable to them, and what will preserve a stable society Rejects politics of strongly held ideologies |
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Traditional Conservative Ideas: Individualism |
Each individual and household should be presented with the widest range of choices and opportunities; - The state can enhance and facilitate choice and opportunity Private life is not the concern of the state; - The state can interfere in law enforcement, national defence, management of the currency, etc. - Private businesses, religion, enjoyment of property, and family expenditure decisions are not normally to be interfered with by government Can best flourish in a stable social, moral, and economic environment - Continuity provided by laws, morality, and traditions provides the best scenery |
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Traditional Conservative Ideas: Property |
Defend interests of home owners and the owners of land; Right to own and enjoy one's property in security is a fundamental aspect of civilised existence |
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Traditional Conservative Ideas: Opposition to Ideology |
Changes character in order to oppose and resist ideologies |
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New Right Conservativism |
Seen to combine neo-liberalism and neo-conservatism. Which means it is often described as a hybrid philosophy |
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Neo-Liberalism and the New Right: Deregulation |
Socialists argued that the solution was more state intervention while the New Right argued that the problem was too much intervention; - Privatisation of industry to encourage competition - Forcing business in the private sector to allow more competition The state should not monopolise the provision of public services |
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Neo-Liberalism and the New Right: Disengagement |
No intervention to save declining industries or firms; - if they're declining they aren't efficient enough to compete. Without intervention they'll either disappear to allow more resources to growing industries, or be forced to make themselves more efficient Less intervention in the economy - Raising public expenditure in order to raise economic activity is an excessive burden upon taxpayers and an artificial way of promoting economic activity that is unsustainable long term. Constantly bailing our the economy masks the real problems |
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Neo-Liberalism and the New Right: Trade Union Reform |
Trade unions were the main culprit in sustaining industrial inefficiency and in the maintenance of excessive inflation - The power it was argued was used to maintain inefficient working practices, prevent technological innovation, and force companies to employ more labour than they really needed |
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Neo-Liberalism and the New Right: Low Taxation |
High levels of direct taxation are a disincentive to enterprise and hard work; Reducing taxes on income and business would be an incentive to more entrepreneurial activity, research and development, and general investment in economic growth |
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Neo-Liberalism and the New Right: Dependency Culture |
Levels of welfare benefits had created a culture where many members of society had brown used to depending on state welfare benefits and had no incentive to improve their economic circumstances - Attack restored in 2011-12 with the Welfare Reform Bill which capped the amount of benefits that a single family can claim |
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Neo-Conservatism and the New Right: Economic Patriotism |
Economic interests of the nation are paramount - Opposition to European integration on the grounds that it doesn't serve Britain's best interests - Sceptical of international free trade, believing that domestic industries should be protected |
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Neo-Conservatism and the New Right: Social Conservatism |
Authoritarian stance towards crime; - Severe punishments as the best form of deterrence Moral decline of the west - Excessive permissiveness and tolerance |
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Neo-Conservatism and the New Right: Monoculturalism |
All members in society should, broadly, adopt the same culture and cultural values - Extremist elements are intolerant of different cultures - Suspicious of immigration and asylum seeking as an influx of migrants is a threat to traditional British values, the rejection of the philosophy of multiculturalism |
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The Conservative Party Today: Less Government |
Britain is over-governed; - Over-regulation of business and commerce - Over-protective attitude towards the vulnerable in society (EU is one of the main culprits in this area) Reduction of government by allowing more private enterprises to become involved in supplying public services; - Healthcare - Education - Transport Only a light touch with regulation - Not to control, but a little regulation is required |
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The Conservative Party Today: Reduced Taxation |
Where Possible |
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The Conservative Party Today: Law and Order |
More authoritarian approach to sentencing and policing (with more police employed) |
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The Conservative Party Today: Choice on Public Services |
Public should have a variety of provision available to them and have the means to search out the best services available |
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The Conservative Party Today: Euro-Scepticism |
Too many European regulations and members do not retain enough of their independence within the union |
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The Conservative Party Today, David Cameron's Reforms: Big Society |
Less State Control; Social responsibility to progress society, not state control; Practicalities of 'Big Society' - Free Schools would allow community groups to set up their own state funded schools, free of local authority control - More locally elected officials such as mayors and police commissioners - More citizens' control over such matters as planning, housing allocations, and the conduct of MPs (recall) - NHS Reforms which were designed to increase local choice over health provisions - Government funds would be made available for local initiatives on such areas as youth employment, education, and the environment |
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The Conservative Party Today, David Cameron's Reforms: Inclusiveness |
Significant minorities within Britain have been excluded from mainstream society because they are suffering from economic deprivation, have been excluded from an attainable range of choices, have been routinely discriminated against or have simply had their demands ignored - One Nation Conservatism sought to widen opportunities, life choices, and equality for all |
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The Conservative Party Today, David Cameron's Reforms: Education |
Different types of schooling should be available and selective secondary schools rejected - These types of schooling should be available to all |
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The Conservative Party Today, David Cameron's Reforms: Environmentalism |
Tougher environmental measures than those suggested by other parties - Tight emission targets for 2030 |
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The Conservative Party Today, David Cameron's Reforms: Law and Order |
Initially soft but due to rioting a tougher stance has been united around in the party |
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The Conservative Party Today, David Cameron's Reforms: Human Rights |
Prefer to see human rights protected and determined by the UK parliament and courts, not by the ECHR |
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The Conservative Party Today, David Cameron's Reforms: Taxation and Public Services |
Tax cuts cannot be made at the expense of the quality of public services |
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Core Values of British Socialism, Old Labour: Class |
Most people define their position in society in terms of their social class; - Classes have a common interest and these interests between classes may conflict with eachother The belief that there was a natural antagonism between the middle and working classes; - Radical socialists believed that society should be reorganised to further the interests of the working classes against capitalism - Moderate socialists have tried to reconcile the interests of the two classes, restoring some sort of balance of power between them |
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Core Values of British Socialism, Old Labour: Equality |
We are born equal in terms of our right to both justice and access to power; Rejection of the idea that society has a natural order; - Each individual has the potential to take up any position in society which they may aspire to hold Equality of opportunity; - However unequal people may prove to be, all are entitled to the same life chances Radical socialists believe in absolute economic equality; - All should enjoy the same rewards, no matter what work they do and what position they hold in society Most socialists argue that there should be only small differences in living standards - Some inequality to create incentives |
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Core Values of British Socialism, Old Labour: Social Justice |
Full scale equality is neither practical nor desirable; - Some inequalities in society are, however, excessive There are some in society who are deprived through no fault of their own, and there are some who have become wealthy through windfalls rather than their own efforts; - In these cases there is a strong case for the redistribution of wealth All are entitled to equality of opportunity - The state is justified in intervening both to eliminate artificial privilege and to create greater opportunities for those who are born with a lack of opportunity |
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Core Values of British Socialism, Old Labour: Equality of Opportunity |
Absolute economic equality was never pursued; - Unequal reward in a capitalist based society are inevitable and, indeed, desirable because they provide incentives to enterprise Inequality can be unjust and all should have equal opportunities; - the provision of a good standard of free education has always been the principle means of achieving this Emphasis on the belief that those in deprived circumstances do not have equal opportunities; - Generalised discrimination against those who come from poorer backgrounds - If living standards can be raised for all then there will be more opportunities for all There are social forces that operate against the interests of some sections of society; - In the field of higher education, the professions, government itself, and business in general, there remains a certain degree of class based bias that discriminates against those from humble backgrounds - Institutions must make themselves more open to a wider social spectrum - Break this cycle of discrimination through either positive prejudice or by introducing laws and codes of practice that outlaw social discrimination Opening up opportunities for a wider section of the community to become involved in business; - So as to secure for themselves a greater share of society's wealth - Poorer sections of society's prosperity can be improved by allowing them to take part n capitalist enterprises themselves |
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Core Values of British Socialism, Old Labour: Collectivism |
People usually prefer to achieve goals collectively rather than independently; Actions taken by people in organised groups is likely to be more effective than merely the sum of many individual actions; |
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British Labour Party Collectivism Examples |
Labour support of trade union power - Unbalanced relationship between workers and employers - Sought to ensure workers have strong collective representation through unions The welfare state in all its forms is a collective enterprise organised by the state - Rather than allowing or forcing people to make their own individual provisions for public services and insurance against unemployment and poverty the welfare state does this on their behalf - National Insurance contributions and taxes are distributed according to need |
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Consensus Issues in Politics |
Responsible management of the economy; Keeping corporate tax relatively low by European Standards; The maintenance of largely free markets with relatively little state interference; Preserving the union of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland; The maintenance of good quality public services within the basic principles of the welfare state; Support for the system of parliamentary democracy; Reform of the second legislative chamber; The need to place an overall cap on total benefits any one family can receive |
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Contested Issues in Politics |
The degree of which the private sector should be involved in the provision of welfare state services; The degree to which law and order policy should concentrate on punishment as opposed to dealing with the social causes of crime; The degree to which Britain should be open to immigrants and asylum seekers; How much Britain should support US foreign policy; How the NHS has been reformed; Whether child benefit should be available to all families or only those on lower incomes |
