Chapter 3 - Electoral systems - final Flashcards

1
Q

What is the formal title of first past the post?

A

Plurality in single-member constituencies.

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2
Q

How many constituencies are there in the UK?

A

650

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3
Q

What is the average adult population of each constituency?

A

75,000

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4
Q

What is plurality?

A

When you only need more votes than anyone else to win an election, not an absolute majority.

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5
Q

How many MPs won an absolute majority in the 2015 general election?

A

316

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6
Q

What are the five main features of first past the post?

A
  1. There is one MP for each constituency.
  2. It is simple.
  3. It gives an advantage to parties with concentrated support.
  4. It favours large parties.
  5. Tends to produce an outright winner.
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7
Q

What is a safe seat?

A

A seat where the same party is virtually guaranteed to win every election.

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8
Q

What are the four implications of safe seats?

A
  1. Parties pay little attention to them at election times.
  2. MPs in safe seats are held less accountable.
  3. Voters may feel their votes are wasted.
  4. Votes are of unequal value.
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9
Q

How many votes were estimated to be wasted votes in the 2015 general election?

A

22 million

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10
Q

What is a marginal seat?

A

A constituency where the outcome of an election is unpredictable and changes.

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11
Q

What do marginal seats encourage?

A

Tactical voting, when voters place their votes for their second choice to try and stop another party winning.

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12
Q

What are the arguments in favour of retaining first past the post?

A
  • Easy to understand.
  • Quick results.
  • Close bond between constituency and MP.
  • Accountability is clear.
  • Promotes strong, stable, decisive government.
  • Stood the test of time.
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13
Q

What are the arguments against retaining first past the post?

A
  • Outcome is not proportional or fair.
  • Leads to wasted votes.
  • Votes are of unequal value.
  • Encourages tactical voting.
  • Hinders new parties.
  • Governments are elected without a popular majority.
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14
Q

What percentage of the vote did the Conservatives win in 2015, securing them a majority?

A

36.9%

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15
Q

What sort of system is the Additional Member System?

A

A hybrid system

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16
Q

What does AMS combine?

A

FPTP with proportional representation.

17
Q

Where is AMS used?

A

Scotland, Wales, and the Greater London Assembly.

18
Q

What is used to calculate the number of seats awarded via party lists in Scotland?

A

The D’Hondt method.

19
Q

How does the D’Hondt method work?

A

Parties that do well under the first past the post part of the system in Scotland have their proportion of party list seats adjusted down, while parties that do not do well under FPTP have their party list seats adjusted upwards, making the outcome overall proportionally fairer.

20
Q

What are the four advantages of AMS?

A
  1. Produces a proportional outcome.
  2. Gives voters two votes and so more choice.
  3. Combines constituency representation with proportionality.
  4. Helps small parties.
21
Q

What are the two drawbacks to AMS?

A
  1. Produces two classes of representative, with those elected via party lists being more senior.
  2. It is more complex.
22
Q

Who do people vote for under regional list elections?

A

They vote for parties rather than individuals.

23
Q

pg 99 - stv

A