Political Parties - Unit 1 - Flashcards in A Level and IB Government & Politics

What is a political party?

a group of people organized for the purpose of winning government power, by putting candidates up for election and hoping to gain a majority to form government.

1 of 24

List three functions of political parties

any three from: Representation / Policy formulation / Recruitment of leaders / Organization of Government / Participation and mobilization of the electorate

2 of 24

Define `Catch-all Parties`

a party that develops policies that will appeal to the widest range of voters, by contrast with a programmatic party

3 of 24

List three features of a Programmatic Party

any three from: Ideological / Long-term goals / fixed values / shape public opinion / traditional policies / class-based support / strong activist base

4 of 24

why has the effectiveness of recruiting and training party leaders been questioned? 2 things

1 - as government leaders are recruited from the ranks of the majority party in the HOC, they rely on a relatively small pool of talent, 2 - electioneering and other party activities may be poor training for running a large government department

5 of 24

in what ways to parties encourage participation? 2 ways

1- provide opportunities for citizens to join political parties and therefore help shape party policy, 2 - help educate / mobilise the electorate through a range of activities like canvassing, public meetings, advertising and poster campaigns, party

6 of 24

what percentage of voters claimed to have a very strong attachment to a party in 1964?

44%

7 of 24

How are Liberal Democrat leaders elected

candidates need to be supported by at least 10% of the parliamentary party as well as 200 party members drawn from at least 20 constituencies. the election is decided by all individual members of the Liberal Democrats in a postal ballot

8 of 24

what is a two party system

a system dominated by two major parties that have a roughly equal prospect of winning government power.

9 of 24

define left-wing

political ideas are based on generally optimistic views about human nature and favour social change; left wingers tend to support liberty, equality and state intervention

10 of 24

Name the phases of party ideology post 1945 (4)

post-war social democracy / thatcherism / post-Thatcherite consensus / ideas and policies in the `age of austerity`

11 of 24

what are the three defining values of conservatism?

tradition / human imperfection / hierarchy and authority

12 of 24

Define social justice

a morally justifiable distribution of wealth, usually implying a desire to reduce material inequalities (rather than absolute equality)

13 of 24

Name the "five giants" attacked in the Beveridge report

1) want (poverty) 2) disease (illness) 3) ignorance (lack of education) 4) Squalor (poor housing) 5) idleness (unemployment)

14 of 24

Define privatisation

the selling off of nationalized industries and other state assets, transferring them from the public to the private sector

15 of 24

Name the central themes of `economic Thatcherism`

Privatization / Reduced union power / Low taxes / deregulation

16 of 24

Name the central themes of `social Thatcherism`

`Tough` law and order / traditional values / national patriotism

17 of 24

Name the chief themes of New Labour

Market economics / constitutional reform / `Third Way` welfare / strengthening responsibility

18 of 24

What did leading members of the 2010 coalition blame `Labour`s Debt Crisis` on?

What they refer to as Brown`s Recession - reckless and irresponsible levels of public spending by Labour governments since 2001

19 of 24

In the 2010 spending review, how much was going to be cut from government spending?

£81 billion

20 of 24

In what way is David Cameron a relation to the Queen?

Fifth cousin twice removed

21 of 24

Define social-liberalism

a commitment to social welfare designed to promote equal opportunities and help individuals help themselves

22 of 24

What role did Ed Miliband play within the Labour party following the general election win in 1997

he was Brown`s speech writer and special advisor at the treasury

23 of 24

Define fiscal stimulus - and what party is this associated with

associated with the Labour party, a fiscal stimulus is a policy aimed at promoting economic growth by allowing government spending to exceed tax revenues

24 of 24

Get Revising

Political Parties - Unit 1

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Back

Card 3

Front

Back

Card 4

Front

Back

Card 5

Front

Back

Comments

Similar Government & Politics resources: