A Level Politics - Comparing Electoral and Party Systems-Arguments for greater party unity in the USA, and for growing party division in the UK

A Level Politics - Comparing Electoral and Party Systems-Arguments for greater party unity in the USA, and for growing party division in the UK

I. Growing Party Unity in the USA:

• Hyperpartisanship: Since the 1980s, both US parties have become more ideologically homogenous and geographically segregated. This is evident in the lack of Democrats in the Deep South and Republicans in the West Coast/Northeast. Factors like race, religion, region, and media consumption strongly predict party loyalty.
• Congressional Voting: Voting records overwhelmingly reflect party lines, with fewer moderates. Key votes (see Table 20.2 below) demonstrate strong party loyalty, regardless of the issue's nature.
• Table 20.2: Party Loyalty in Key US Congressional Votes: This table highlights the minimal defections within parties on major legislation and nominations. Note the near-unanimous votes within each party, regardless of the specific issue. Pay attention to the few exceptions noted in the footnotes, and analyze why those exceptions occurred.

Vote	Democrat Loyalists	Democrat Rebels	Republican Loyalists	Republican Rebels
Affordable Care Act 2010	219	34	0	0
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 2017	189	0	224	12
2018 Kavanaugh Supreme Court Confirmation	48	1	50	1*
2019-20 Trump Impeachment (Article I)	230	2	195	1**

*Note: Lisa Murkowski would have voted against Kavanaugh but withdrew her vote. **Note: Tulsi Gabbard abstained.

• Leadership Challenges: Unlike the UK, US parties haven't experienced frequent internal challenges to leadership. Even controversial figures like Trump maintained party unity. Presidential primary challenges are rare; the last significant one was Ted Kennedy challenging Jimmy Carter in 1980.

II. Growing Party Division in the UK:

• Backbench Rebellions: Table 20.3 demonstrates frequent backbench rebellions against party leadership, even when party leaderships agree on a policy (as seen in the same-sex marriage vote).
• Table 20.3: Party Loyalty in Key UK Parliament Votes: This table contrasts sharply with Table 20.2. Note the significant number of MPs voting against their party line on major issues. Analyze the reasons given for the rebellions.

Vote	Conservative Loyalists	Conservative Rebels	Labour Loyalists	Labour Rebels
2003 Iraq War Vote (opposing Blair government)	139	15	245	139
2013 Same-Sex Marriage Vote	126	137	217	22
Sept 2019 Brexit Delay Vote	287	21	240	2

• Leadership Challenges: Both Labour and Conservative parties have faced frequent leadership challenges (e.g., Corbyn, Thatcher, May). These challenges highlight deep divisions on policy and leadership style. The reasons for these challenges (policy disagreements, leadership style, electoral performance) should be studied.

III. Comparison:

The key difference lies in the level of internal dissent and willingness of backbenchers to defy party leadership. US parties show significantly higher levels of unity, while UK parties experience much more frequent and substantial internal divisions. Consider the potential structural, historical, and cultural reasons for this contrast. Factors to consider include: electoral systems, party structures, and the role of ideology within each country's political landscape.

IV. Study Questions:

1. Why has hyperpartisanship increased in the USA?
2. What are the implications of high party unity in the USA?
3. What are the causes of frequent leadership challenges in the UK?
4. How do the electoral systems of the USA and UK contribute to the observed differences in party unity?
5. What are the consequences of high levels of party division in the UK?
6. Compare and contrast the role of ideology in the two countries' political systems.
7. Analyze the specific cases of rebellions and leadership challenges highlighted in the tables. What were the underlying issues? How did they impact the political landscape?

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