9-Electoral processes Flashcards
What are the functions of an election?
- Peaceful means of change
- Gives Gov a legit mandate
- Increases accountability
- Ensures people have a choice
- Provides basis for duty of citizens
What the democratic principles the functions of elections are based on
- Free and fair elections
- non-pressured vote
- Freedom of Information
- Free right to stand for candidates
- Regular elections
Explain proposed changes to governments terms
Depends on what the people value more:
stable gov (less elections) or accountable gov (more elections)
also mention fixed term/ max term
Explain Gerrymandering and issues surrounding it
Deliberate manipulation of electoral boundaries to swing election results.
Allows majority of seats to be won with minority of votes, and is therefore in conflict with the democratic principle of free elections, and mirror representation.
Less genuine mandate
Explain Malapportionment and issues surrounding it
Where “one vote, one value” does not occur
Used to occur due to land owners being favoured
Accidental malapportionment still occurs in senate
Explain Compulsory voting and issues surrounding it
If you do not vote you are fined etc Pros: -gov has genuine mandate -people have political commitment -elections focus on issues not persuading people to vote -elections less influenced by radicals -reduced corruption Cons: -active politics to convince supporters to vote -decrease in informal votes -reduction in negative campaigning
what is a political party
-group of people with similar political ideas
What is the role of a party’s
- principle vehicle through citizens gain representation
- Draw together policy interests of different groups
- Acceptance of members strengthens foundations of democratic process
- main way political power is exercised
- avenues for political discussion
What is the primary aim for major parties
To form government
What is the primary aim for minor parties
To influence government
What is the primary aim for micro parties
To raise their profile and push their agenda
What is a pressure group?
- Organisations formed to promote issues
- pressure parties to consider their perspective
What is the role of pressure groups
- To represent minorities or issues
- to pressure parties to consider their perspective
How do political parties and pressure groups participate in the political system
- parties introduce, debate, pass legislation
- parties are a source of legislative idea
- pressure groups are a source of legislative idea
how can individuals participate in electoral process
- registering to vote
- become part of franchise
- go to MP with issues
- Join pressure groups
- become a base of support for parties
how can parties participate in electoral process
- parties advertise themselves
- push legislation that the people want
- try to get as many voters as possible
How can Pressure groups participate in the electoral process?
- give out ‘how to vote’ cards
- try to get people to vote for candidates who represent their interests
Explain the issue of political donations
-primary issue is corruption
-parties tailor policies to highest donator, not the people
-system is tailored towards wealthy
-to run you need money
-donations cause implications to democratic ideals
-
STATS:
-both parties had don. over 50 mil
-co-70 m
-lab-45 mil
-80% of campaigns paid for by donators
Explain the rise of independents/micro parties
-decline in support from major parties
-make up cross bench
-hold balance of power if gov support is weak
-represent minorities
-general upward trend in micro parties/independents
-due to general dissatisfaction with major parties
2013 SENATE
-coalition needed 6 cross benchers to pass legislation
-8 cross benchers
nearly 1/4 didn’t vote major
2016 SENATE
-positive swing for many micro parties
-negative swing for major parties
- trend continued
