POLITICAL PARTIES AND THE PARTY SYSTEM
Party systems
A party system is: ‘a relatively stable network of relationships between political parties that is
structured by their number, size and ideological orientation’
May be a 2, 2 ½ or multi-party system
Electoral system determines the number of parties
Usually on the left-right scale
Not static
Parties need to be responsive
Functions of political parties
Articulation and representation of interests
Aggregation of demands
Staffing the government
Organisation of support for govt. in parliament
Stimulation of popular interest and involvement in political affairs
Why do parties need members?
To provide support during election campaigns
To provide funds through donations and membership dues
To provide a link to civil society – do they still in an internet age?
How the British party system works
2 big UK-wide parties, 1 small one
A 2 party system or 3 or 2 ½ or more?
Relatively narrow ideological spectrum
Other political parties
SNP, Greens, UKIP, BNP, Plaid Cymru and NI parties.
Alternative candidates
Independents
Joke parties
Traditional view of how UK party system works
2 party system, free and fair elections
One party government, one party opposition.
Party systems
A party system is: ‘a relatively stable network of relationships between political parties that is
structured by their number, size and ideological orientation’
May be a 2, 2 ½ or multi-party system
Electoral system determines the number of parties
Usually on the left-right scale
Not static
Parties need to be responsive
Functions of political parties
Articulation and representation of interests
Aggregation of demands
Staffing the government
Organisation of support for govt. in parliament
Stimulation of popular interest and involvement in political affairs
Why do parties need members?
To provide support during election campaigns
To provide funds through donations and membership dues
To provide a link to civil society – do they still in an internet age?
How the British party system works
2 big UK-wide parties, 1 small one
A 2 party system or 3 or 2 ½ or more?
Relatively narrow ideological spectrum
Other political parties
SNP, Greens, UKIP, BNP, Plaid Cymru and NI parties.
Alternative candidates
Independents
Joke parties
Traditional view of how UK party system works
2 party system, free and fair elections
One party government, one party opposition.
