UK Parties Intro

• Ideology : A coherent set of beliefs that guides ones actions
• Policy : a proposed or actual strategy aimed at adressing a particular issue or area of government provision. Often based on deeply held ideological position or to appeal to wavering voters or a possible coalition partner in the event of a hung parliament
• The political left is often identified with the interests of the masses, and supports an increase in government intervention to create a more just society through social change and beliefs of greater equality
• The political right is traditionally identified with the preservation of the interests of the established property classes and generally oppose the change favoured by the left. They are wary of state intervention and seek to limit the role of the government in society and place emphasis on individualism and personal responsibility
• Communism : A classless system wherein all property is owned by the community and each person contributes and receives in accordance with need and ability
• Socialism : Public ownership of property and the means of production - all that contribute to the production of a product is entitled a share in it. Society should own/control property for the benefit of all its members
• Liberalism: Individual rights are of the highest priority - they have the right to make their own choices, independent of the government's input. Equality of opportunity is also important
• Conservatism : Free enterprise, private ownership and preservation of traditional institutions. Customs and values are promoted
• Fascism: Authoritarian, ultranationationalist political movement characterised by a dictatorial leader, centralised autocracy, militarian and forcible suppression of opposition
• Parties often change their ideology in order to win an election or if a leader changes so it is unsuitable to place them in a definite position of the ideological spectrum
• The political compass is more suitable to describe the ideology of parties as it generalises political standing through its quadrants and the separate axis also helps define political ideology better than the left-right spectrum
• The centre ground is where parties typically win elections as it appeals to the most voters - a combination of the left and right