the political landscape

• One party systems are extremely undemocratic and lack any accountability for governments but may allow a government to efficiently carry out a regime.
• Examples of one party systems are North Korea and China.
• While multiple parties may exist in a two party system, only two alternating parties have a significant chance of forming a government and hence political importance.
• In a two party system there is likely to be a single party government with a working majority and there is a simple choice of 2 for most voters.
• Political moderation is promoted in a two party system because parties have to appeal to 'floating voters'
• A two party system can lead to incumbent governments spending a lot of time reversing the changes of the last government.
• Multi party systems often lead to coalition governments as parties are less likely to gain an absolute majority.
• Coalitions formed as a result of a multi party system can introduce more checks and balances leading to political moderation and policy decisions will take into account a wider range of views.
• Coalitions can be unstable and multi party systems give more power to extremist parties
• Dominant party systems allow parties to bring about vast changes that could not be implemented in shorter periods of time, but with a democratic mandate.
• Thatcher's reforms are indicative of the benefits of a dominant party system
• A dominant party system can give way to corruption as there may be minimal scrutiny of the government from a weak opposition and governments can be complacent in assuming that the electorate will continue to give them power no matter what they do.
• The use of FPTP in Westminster prevents a multi-party system however the same is not true for the regional picture with the use of AMS and STV.
• Minority parties have more influence in devolved bodies partially because of the importance of nationalism and the novelty of these bodies.
• Numerous minority parties have had political power recently such as the Lib Dems from 2010, the DUP fromm 2017, the Green Party in Scotland from 2022 and obviously Northern Irish and Scottish specific parties.
• Regardless of the party system smaller parties can influence policy such as UKIP's influence on Cameron and the Lib Dem's influence on Blair.
• Minority parties can have an influence through the spoiler effect like the SDP-Alliance did in 1983. This can give them a greater policy influence on the two main parties through threat.
• FPTP provokes tactical voting diminishing even further the relevance of minority parties.
• The 2010 coalition is the only formal coalition there has been since the war.
• The media can influence politics by perpetuating ideas for example spreading rhetoric surrounding 'benefit scroungers'.
• The media can influence by reporting on opinion polls, election results and TV debates to exaggerate the likelihood or suitability of an election outcome. For example the likelihood of another hung parliament was exaggerated in 2015.
• The media's relationship with politicians has become increasingly personal, with tabloid media reporting their scandals and treating them like celebrities, and owners forming personal relationships. For example Rupert Murdoch is godfather to Tony Blair's son.
• By reporting on scandals the media can increase voter apathy and reduce participation.
• The media has become less informative and factual with a rise in 'churnalism' and the usage of prepackaged news which goes unchecked.
• The media has become increasingly polarised. For example The Sun rallies behind a specific election candidate.