Lecture 6

Question 1

Functions of Political Parties

Answer 1

1. Parties in electorate: mobilize, represent and educate citizens.
2. Parties as organizations: recruit and train future political leaders, and articulate and aggregate political interests.
3. Parties in government: organize and coordinate parliament and government.

Question 2

Features of party organizations

Answer 2

1. Origin of party organization (where was the party formed)
2. Character of party organization (how is the party organized)
3. nature of party membership (who are the members)
4. Primary resource base (who pays for the party activities)

Question 3

Two party systems

Answer 3

• Single-party government
• Alternation in office (either Labour, or Conservative)
• Centripetal competition (focus on middle ground)
• Stability

Question 4

Multi party systems

Answer 4

• Coalition government
• Lack of alternation
• Centrifugal competition
• Instability

Question 5

Why do party different party systems emerge

Answer 5

In countries with one political cleavage, you get a two-party system. In countries with more political cleavages, you will get a multi-party system

Question 6

Why does a party system evolve to another type

Answer 6

1. Political crisis
2. Changes in the electoral system
3. Emergence of new political alliance