1. Political Party Systems
Political parties are the primary vehicles for organizing public opinion and contesting power. The nature of the party system often depends on the electoral rules of the country.
A. Britain: Two-Party Dominance
Although Britain has many parties, its system is described as a Two-Party System because power usually rotates between two major parties:
- Conservative Party (Tories): Right-leaning, focuses on free-market economics and traditional values.
- Labour Party: Left-leaning, focuses on workers' rights and social welfare.
- Role of Third Parties: Parties like the Liberal Democrats often act as "kingmakers" in rare hung-parliament scenarios.
B. Brazil: Multiparty Fragmentation
Brazil has an Extremely Fragmented Multiparty System. It is common to have dozens of parties represented in the National Congress.
- Ideological Flux: Parties often form around personalities rather than fixed ideologies.
- Coalition Presidentialism: Because no single party ever wins a majority, the President must form large, often unstable coalitions to pass laws.
- Major Parties: PT (Workers' Party), PL (Liberal Party), and MDB (Brazilian Democratic Movement).
2. Pressure Groups and Interest Groups
Pressure groups (also called Interest Groups) do not contest elections but seek to influence government policy from the outside.
Britain: Pluralist Lobbying
- Sectional Groups: Represent specific sections of society (e.g., British Medical Association, Trade Unions).
- Promotional Groups: Promote a specific cause (e.g., Greenpeace, Amnesty International).
- Access: In the UK, groups often have direct links to government departments and provide expert advice during the drafting of bills.
Brazil: Corporatism and Social Movements
- History of Corporatism: Historically, the state had strong control over unions and business associations.
- Social Movements: Brazil has powerful grassroots movements that function as pressure groups, such as the MST (Landless Workers' Movement).
- Lobbying: While present, it is often seen as less institutionalized than in the Westminster system.
3. Electoral Systems: FPTP vs. Proportional Representation
The "rules of the game" determine how votes are converted into seats, which in turn determines the type of party system that emerges.
A. First Past The Post (FPTP) - Britain
Used for the House of Commons. The candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins, even if they don't have a majority (50%+).
- Pros: Usually leads to a stable, single-party government.
- Cons: Disproportional results; small parties are under-represented.
B. Proportional Representation (PR) - Brazil
Used for the Chamber of Deputies. Seats are assigned to parties in proportion to the total number of votes they receive.
- Pros: Highly representative; every vote counts toward a seat.
- Cons: Leads to many small parties, making it difficult to form a stable government.
5. Exam Focus: Tips and FAQs
Exam Tips
- Duverger's Law: Mention this! It states that FPTP systems tend to lead to two-party systems, while PR leads to multiparty systems.
- Coalition Presidentialism: This is a key term for Brazil. It explains why a President with a personal mandate can still be "weak" if they can't manage the many parties in Congress.
- Hung Parliament: Define this when discussing the UK—a situation where no single party wins a majority of seats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is Brazil's party system so fragmented?
A: Mainly because of the Proportional Representation system and the ease with which politicians can switch parties (party infidelity).
Q: What is the main role of pressure groups in the UK?
A: They provide expert information to civil servants and MPs, and they mobilize public opinion to influence specific policy changes.