Chapter 10- Electoral systems Flashcards
What are the functions of electoral systems
Representation, choosing a gov, influence Over policy, accountability, legitimacy, citizen education
Why is representation a function of democracy
Enable the electorate to select a smaller group (reps) to act on their behalf
Why is choosing a gov a function of electoral systems
GE’s determine the composition of the HoC, but as a majority party in Parliament forms a gov, elections/systems determine which party takes party
How is influence over policy a function of elections/systems
Allow citizens to voice policy preferences. Victorious party has a mandate to deliver pledges promised in manifesto
How is citizen education a function of elections
Campaigns provide citizens with the opportunity to learn about major political issues, allowing them to make informed decisions
Name two features of a majoritarian electoral system
Must secure absolute majority to win- in a plurality system, only need one more than 2nd to win
Candidates are elected in single member constituencies
Name another 2 features of majoritarian systems and example
Outcome is not proportional- large parties take higher proportion of seats than they merit (smaller parties under represented)
Often produces single party governments with working parliamentary majorities.
Supplementary vote
Two features of proportional representation electoral systems
Candidates alerted in multi member constituencies
Outcome is proportional- close fit between the share of votes won by party and number of seats that they are allocated
Another feature of PR electoral systems and example
Tends to produce coalition governments since no single party gets a majority of seats
Regional list, STV
Another characteristic of a plurality system and example
MPs elected in single-member co statue view and system is non-proportional
FPTP
Characteristics of a mixed system
Combines elements of the plurality or majoritarian systems with elements of PR
2 Characteristics of FPTP
MPs are elected in single member constituencies- each constituency elects on MP to the HoC
Electors cast one vote by putting an X next to their preferred candidate
Another characteristic of FPTP
Candidate requires a plurality of votes to win- one more than 2nd. No requirement to get a majority of votes
Two features of FPTP (outcomes)
Tends to favour a two party system- since major parties with strong nationwide support are likely to win a parliamentary majority.
Is less representative- little incentive for a faction within a major party to split- not much chance of winning support (SDP 1983 25% but only 23 seats. UKIP 2015- 12.5% of vote but only 1 seat
Another feature of FPTP (outcomes) maj.
FPTP tends to exaggerate the performance of the most popular party, producing a winners bonus. A relatively small lead over 2nd place translates into a substantial lead in seats (not proportional)
Eg 1983- cons huge majority, gaining 37 seats despite a 1.5% fall in share of vote
Just another feature of FPTP (sp)
Discriminated against smaller parties…
Mechanics: FPTP makes it harder for smaller parties to win seats since there is no reward for coming 2nd
Psychology: smaller parties have a credibility problem because voters believe that a vote for them is a ‘wasted vote’
One last feature of FPTP
Tends to produce single-party majority governments with working parliamentary majorities. Coalition governments and minority governments are rare in Westminster, with only the 74,10,17 elections not delivering a majority of seats for one party in the post war era
2 positives of FPTP
Simplicity and clear outcome
2 more positives of FPTP
Strong,stable government and keeps out extremist parties
2 arguments against FPTP
Disproportionate outcomes, votes are of unequal value (wasted votes)
Another 2 arguments against FPTP
Limited choice, plurality rather than majority support.
Why does Prof. John Curtis argue that FPTP is no longer capable of delivering its key strengths (single party government and a winners bonus)
Less effective than it used to be in persuading people not to vote for smaller parties. Combined support for lab and Cons was lower in 10/15 than in other post war elections, while Lib Dem’s hit 23% of the vote in 2010. Similarly, UKIP, Greens and SNP all recorded their best either performances in 2015.
Why else does prof. John curtice believe that FPTP is no longer capable of delivering its strengths
Regional differences in support for parties are more pronounced. This makes it more difficult for one party to win a Parl. Majority. In 2015 and 17 different parties topped the poll in each region.
Characteristics of the SV system (1,2)
Voters record their 1st and 2nd preferences on the ballot paper
If no candidate wins a majority of 1st preferences, all but the top 2 candidates are eliminated and the 2nd preference votes for the 2 left are added to their 1st preference votes.
2 advantages of the SV vote
Winning candidate must achieve broad support, giving them greater legitimacy.
Supporters of smaller parties can use their 1st preference to express their allegiance and 2nd to indicate which major party candidate they prefer.
3 disadvantages of the SV vote
If used for GE’s, would not produce a proportional outcome
Winning candidate selected without winning a majority of the votes if 2nd pref. Votes are not used effectively. Voters need to us of either of their preferences for the top candidates to impact the outcome
Least unpopular as opposed to most popular wins since the candidate who wins the most 1st prefs may not win after 2nd prefs are distributed
Characteristics of the STV
Reps elected in large multi member constituencies- NI 18 constituencies elect six members
Voting is preferential- electors indicate their preferences by writing 1 next to their preferred etc. Voting is ordinal- as many or as few as you’d like.
Advantages of the STV
Proportional outcome- votes are of largely equal value
Gov is likely to consist of party/groups of parties that win over 50% of the vote
Voters choose from a range of candidates, including from one party (greater choice)
3 disadvantages of STV
Large multi-member constituencies weaken the link between individual MPs and their constituency
Likely to produce coal. Gov that may be unstable and give disproportionate influence to minority parties
Counting process is long and complex
