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To what extent does the UK have a two-party system?Intro:
Para 1: FPTP leads to a 2-party system, however 2010 reflects this isn’t always the case.
Para 2: Minor parties have become more influential; however, they do have a limited
influence.
Para 3: Devolved bodies, how different bodies have different results. This is due to different
election systems. Scottish parliament has a one-party system, whereas Wales actually have
a two-party system. Also, Westminster dominates, doesn’t influence the UK.
Of the main parties are the conservatives the most divided?
Intro:
Para 1: Formal Factions: One national block and cons of ERG. New labour and Blairites and
momentum.
Para 2: Brexit- The divisions between remainers and Brexiters
Para 3: Backbenchers
Para 4: Party loyalty with leaders
Para 5: Division over party leaders
Conclusion:
Evaluate the extent to which reforms to the political system have improved
representative democracy?
Intro
Para 1: HoL- reformed to get rid of hereditary peers.
Para 2: Elections
Para 3: Supreme court- separated from parliament. Independent etc.
Para 4: Devolution: Policy kept closer to the countries they are in. Such as education and
healthcare.
Para 5: Parliamentary processes: Select committees, opposition days, backbench questions.
Conclusion:
Evaluate the view that minor parties are crucial to the effective functioning of British
democracy?
Para 1: At times, it is arguable that the UK has been a multi- party system. Such as in 2017
with the DUP and 2010 with the liberal democrats. When a bigger party has had to make
agreements with these parties in order to hold a majority in parliament.
However, when the liberal democrats were in parliament with the conservatives, they were
not largely effective in implementing their manifestos. They were seen as too nice and were
slated for ‘getting into bed with the Tories’. They did a U turn on the university fees
reduction. When the AV referendum happened in 2011, they had 69% no due to the lib
dems unpopularity. The following year, the conservatives won proving their insignificance.
Para 2: Minor parties are crucial to British democracy through their influence on policy. Such
as in 2016, when Cameron held a Brexit election due to significant pressure from UKIP and
conservative backbenchers leaving to join UKIP. Therefore, UKIP were able to indirectly
influence the conservatives’ manifestos and policy. Which presents why they are important
,for pushing people’s opinions. However, this could be seen as undemocratic as a minor
party shouldn’t be able to have such a large influence on policies and politics. They only got
2.4m votes at the 2017 election which suggests they weren’t that popular. Therefore, the
referendum was not wanted by many people.
Para 3: In local elections, minor parties are increasingly important. As people vote more for
minor parties in council elections. The greens now have 481 councillors which shows their
growing importance. However, local council elections have little impact on Westminster as
they are the more important body.
Conclusion: Minor parties are necessary in today’s political system.
Evaluate the view that first past the post is no longer fit for
purpose.
Para 1: No longer creating strong, stable governments. 2010 and 2017. Counter this with the
2019 election, about how these elections were anomalies and more reflective of the
uncertain times. Although this shouldn’t happen as it means some parties with minimal
support can get power.
Para 2: It is quick, easy, and efficient. Producing fast results, Newcastle was able to give
results a couple of hours after the election finished. However, this is less important now a
days due to postal voting and online voting. Now that most people have access to
technology, there are arguments that we should reform the voting system with an online
system. Although there are threats of hacking.
Para 3: It limits the potential of minor parties. As the UK is no longer dominated by two
parties, with other parties retaining a high number of votes. 2023 local elections showed the
liberal democrats gain 600 less seats. Showing the rise in prominence. Therefore, we need a
system where their votes reflect their seats to make it more democratic. However, FPTP
keeps extremists out of parliament. Such as UKIP who got 1 seat in 2015 with 2.4mil votes.
However, they were still able to influence Cameron. Therefore- too much power?
Conclusion: FPTP is no longer fit for purpose in the UK as it has created a democratic deficit
as millions of people are left unrepresented.
To what extent do liberals agree over the role of the state?
Para 1: The role of society
Both strands believe in individualism and the ability to enhance your own individual
freedom. They both believe that individuals have inherent values and are capable of making
their own decisions. Mary Wollstonecraft is associated with this belief, however particularly
behalf on women. Stating that women are just as rational as men, therefore should have
same rights and powers.
However, they disagree on the extent that one can have freedom in society. This is partly
because liberals downplay the importance of society as they saw it as a collection of people
pursuing their own interests. As classic liberals believe in negative freedom which was that
the state should not intervene unless they are harming someone else. John Stuart Mills is
strongly associated with this thought. Whereas modern liberals believe that we should have
positive freedom which would rely on the state to enable people. Allowing them to develop
their talents and achieve fulfilment. This is because modern liberals recognise that people
don’t have foundational equality meaning some people need more help than others.
Para 2: Economy and welfare schemes.
, Classic liberals believed that the state should be a night watchman state and utilise the
benefits of free market capitalism. This would have limited state intervention. The state
shouldn’t interfere in economic and social life as this risk’s individual framework. Believed
that a laissez-faire capitalist approach was best to help individuals. Argued about a
dependency culture.
Whereas modern liberals’ belief in an enabling state. Partially because of the growing
awareness of inequality in the 19th century. They supported policies of welfare to allow for
equality of opportunity. Adding value to society, as they would redistribute wealth to help
create equality amongst people. Links to john Rawls who believed in individual freedom
however also wanted to keep the outcomes of richest and poorest to a minimum.
Para 3: Equality and Human nature
Classic liberals believed that society was always going to be divided due to Darwinism. The
concept taken from Darwin that all people are born differently and that they have different
talents which means that, people are going to achieve different levels of success, and this is
inevitable. Classic liberals also didn’t believe in equal rights for all and believed women were
best suited to modern roles. John Locke didn’t endorse equal rights for women.
Whereas modern liberals believe in state intervention to help people achieve talents. They
believed people are held back by their wealth. Therefore, the government must help them.
John Rawls- veil of ignorance, that all of society must be happy to wake up as anyone. Mary
Wollstonecraft and Betty Friedan advocated for women’s rights and that everyone is
entitled to equal rights. John Stuart Mills was the first MP to debate this in parliament yet
had little impact.
Conclusion: Largely divided as they appear to contradict each other’s beliefs and are not
compatible.
To what extent is there more agreement than disagreement in socialism in its views on
society?
Para 1: State/economic intervention within society- common ownership. Most socialists
agree that class inequality is caused by the capitalist system. Most socialists call for some
form of intervention or planning in economic affairs because they maintain that free market
cannot allocate wealth fairly. They all agree that the state has a role to play in helping
people reach their full potential. However, they all differentiate on how much intervention
the state should have and what they do. Democratic socialists such as Crossland and Webb
believe that the state can put across peaceful reforms which will inevitably lead to socialism.
They also believe in a mixed economy with some privatisation and nationalised key
industries as a method of growth. The third way also endorse free-market capitalism but to
a further extent. Believing that it is the best economic growth, and it benefits everyone and
encourages qualities such as responsibility. In return to this, the state will invest in
infrastructure to create jobs to reduce people in poverty. Blair called this a hand up, not a
help out. As third way believed that some socialists could lead to a dependency culture. On
the other hand, Marxists and revolutionary socialists completely disagree with the state
role. As they believe that capitalism should be replaced with a centrally planned economy
based on common ownership of the means of production. Believing that this is the only way
to create a stable society in which everyone is equal.
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