Chapter 10- Electoral systems

Question 1

What are the functions of electoral systems

Answer 1

Representation, choosing a gov, influence Over policy, accountability, legitimacy, citizen education

Question 2

Why is representation a function of democracy

Answer 2

Enable the electorate to select a smaller group (reps) to act on their behalf

Question 3

Why is choosing a gov a function of electoral systems

Answer 3

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

Question 4

How is influence over policy a function of elections/systems

Answer 4

Allow citizens to voice policy preferences. Victorious party has a mandate to deliver pledges promised in manifesto

Question 5

How is citizen education a function of elections

Answer 5

Campaigns provide citizens with the opportunity to learn about major political issues, allowing them to make informed decisions

Question 6

Name two features of a majoritarian electoral system

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Name another 2 features of majoritarian systems and example

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Two features of proportional representation electoral systems

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Another feature of PR electoral systems and example

Answer 9

Tends to produce coalition governments since no single party gets a majority of seats

Regional list, STV

Question 10

Another characteristic of a plurality system and example

Answer 10

MPs elected in single-member co statue view and system is non-proportional

FPTP

Question 11

Characteristics of a mixed system

Answer 11

Combines elements of the plurality or majoritarian systems with elements of PR

Question 12

2 Characteristics of FPTP

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Another characteristic of FPTP

Answer 13

Candidate requires a plurality of votes to win- one more than 2nd. No requirement to get a majority of votes

Question 14

Two features of FPTP (outcomes)

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Another feature of FPTP (outcomes) maj.

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Just another feature of FPTP (sp)

Answer 16

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’

Question 17

One last feature of FPTP

Answer 17

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

Question 18

2 positives of FPTP

Answer 18

Simplicity and clear outcome

Question 19

2 more positives of FPTP

Answer 19

Strong,stable government and keeps out extremist parties

Question 20

2 arguments against FPTP

Answer 20

Disproportionate outcomes, votes are of unequal value (wasted votes)

Question 21

Another 2 arguments against FPTP

Answer 21

Limited choice, plurality rather than majority support.

Question 22

Why does Prof. John Curtis argue that FPTP is no longer capable of delivering its key strengths (single party government and a winners bonus)

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Why else does prof. John curtice believe that FPTP is no longer capable of delivering its strengths

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Characteristics of the SV system (1,2)

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

2 advantages of the SV vote

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

3 disadvantages of the SV vote

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Characteristics of the STV

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

Advantages of the STV

Answer 28

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)

Question 29

3 disadvantages of STV

Answer 29

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