Advantages and disadvantages of the electoral system 5.3 Flashcards
1
Q
what are the advantages of the electoral system
A
- state sovereignty and individualism
- two party system
- the overall results
2
Q
how is ‘state sovereignty and individualism’ an advantage of the electoral system
A
- campaign in various states/regions = has to be universal in its planks/policies
- later reinforces the autonomy of these states
3
Q
how is ‘two party system’ an advantage of the electoral system
A
- bipartisanship has been used since he USA’s conception
- prevents extreme candidates from gaining power
4
Q
how is ‘the overall results’ an advantage of the electoral system
A
- gives clear results every-time
- if a tie, congress get to choose (e.g. 1800 & 1824)
5
Q
what are the disadvantages of the electoral system
A
- state focus
- could be undemocratic to some voters
6
Q
how is ‘state focus’ an disadvantage of the electoral system
A
- small states are over-represented = federalism being the reason of this issue
- Cal 1ECV = 718,000 people
- Wyoming 1ECV =192,000 people
- less focus on swing states
7
Q
how is ‘could be undemocratic to some voters’ an disadvantage of the electoral system
A
- Popular vote winner might lose (e.g., Clinton vs. Trump in 2016)
- rogue electors = voting against their state
- house of reps choose the president with their one vote and senate choose VP with vote = not democratic
