How effectively do political parties support democracy in the UK? -
point 1-Parties play a key role in representation,
linking together the people and the
government. - link gov to the people by responding to the demands of public opinion-turning
them into deliverable policy positions.
winnin...
political parties essay plans RATED A+
How effectively do political parties support democracy in the UK? - ✔✔✔
point 1-Parties play a key role in representation,
linking together the people and the
government. - ✔✔✔link gov to the people by responding to the demands of public opinion-turning
them into deliverable policy positions.
winning party-a popular mandate to carry out its policies.
The emergence of parties in the UK is tied to the introduction of universal suffrage
Labour emerging from the trade unions and socialist societies to represent working-class interests,
Conservatives associated with representing the interests of private businesses and the middle classes.
increasing wealth of UK/ move away from a heavy industry economy, parties have distanced themselves
from their traditional interests and ideology by developing policies that appeal to the mass of the
electorate. The major UK parties are now 'catch-all parties'.
counterpoint-the effectiveness of parties in ensuring representation has also been questioned - ✔✔✔
parties can only represent their members/supporters when they have a mandate to govern/dominate
parliament-this gives them power to pass laws representing the interests of the public
however this has only been true, since Cameron, for conservative voters
, other parties do not have enough seats in parliament to effectively represent the rest of society-tyranny
of the majority
By moving away from representing their traditional groups, such as Labour looking to reduce its links
with trade unions under Tony Blair in order to attract the uncommitted voter, the ability of parties to
represent interests has been reduced
modern society=pressure groups are seen as more able at fulfilling this role.
point 2-political parties foster participation, enhancing democracy - ✔✔✔provide opportunities for
citizens to join a group of like-minded people and therefore help to shape party policy and, if the party
wins, government policy.
party membership-432,000 members-Dec 2021-Lab
They help to educate/mobilise the electorate through a range of activities - canvassing, public meetings,
advertising and poster campaigns, party broadcasts- building loyalty and /identification among the
electorate.
counterpoint-However, the effectiveness of parties in ensuring participation and mobilisation has also
been questioned. - ✔✔✔Voters' loyalty towards, and identification with, parties has declined.-partisan
dealignment.
44% of voters claimed to have a 'very strong' attachment to a party in 964, this had fallen to a mere 9%
by 2015. The consequences have been that people are less
likely to vote and that voting patterns are far more unpredictable.
Turnout in general elections has fallen sharply since 1997, with only 59% voting in 2001,
the lowest turnout since 1918, and 66% voting in 2015, still about 9% below the historical
average
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