Chapter 4: Electoral systems and party systems

Question 1

What is a referendum or plebiscite?

Answer 1

A referendum or plebiscite is a mechanism where citizens are given a direct vote on whether they support a particular policy measure or not.

Question 2

What is one argument against referendums?

Answer 2

Opponents argue that referendums may reveal incoherent citizen preferences, such as wanting low taxes and high state spending.

Question 3

How do opponents of referendums view their potential impact on political parties?

Answer 3

Opponents believe that referendums can have a divisive effect within political parties, making it harder for them to govern effectively or mount an effective challenge to the government.

Question 4

Why are opponents of referendums concerned about their compatibility with complex international agreements?

Answer 4

Opponents are concerned that referendums may not be compatible with involvement in complex international agreements, as seen in Switzerland and some states of the United States, potentially prejudicing the ability to carry out coherent foreign, defence, and economic policies.

Question 5

What is one argument in favour of referendums?

Answer 5

Proponents argue that referendums help reduce barriers to changing laws as public opinion and popular culture change, allowing for more direct popular involvement in politics.

Question 6

What is “agency loss” in representative systems?

Answer 6

“Agency loss” refers to the inherent tendency of representatives to prioritize their own preferences over those of their constituents, leading to a loss of democratic value in the organization of democracy.

Question 7

How did British philosopher Edmund Burke view the role of parliamentary representatives?

Answer 7

Edmund Burke argued that parliamentary representatives should prioritize what they believe to be right rather than simply doing what their constituents want. However, this does not fully address the problem of multiple influences on politicians.

Question 8

What influences do parliamentary representatives typically respond to?

Answer 8

Parliamentary representatives respond to a mixture of public opinion, personal preference, and organizational discipline, rather than being solely accountable to their constituents.

Question 9

Why might some people believe that popular input into the political process should be limited?

Answer 9

Some people believe that limits should be set on popular participation because experts sometimes know best, leading to a conflict of values regarding the degree of democracy within a political system.

Question 10

What limits do international cooperation and legal obligations place on internal political processes?

Answer 10

International cooperation and legal obligations limit the scope of internal political processes, preventing governments from taking certain actions due to their involvement in international arrangements.

Question 11

What is the key instrument for linking voters with government in parliamentary systems?

Answer 11

The key instrument for linking voters with government in parliamentary systems is the political party.

Question 12

How are successful parties defined in presidential systems?

Answer 12

In presidential systems, successful parties are defined as those that either win presidential elections or achieve a majority in the legislature and are thus able to form the government.

Question 13

Why is the relationship between parties and electoral systems complex?

Answer 13

The relationship between parties and electoral systems is complex because there is not always an easy alignment between party strengths and the sustainability of a particular government. When multiple parties divide the vote in varying proportions, difficulties arise in obtaining a clear majority and giving each party its proper weight in proportion to the votes cast.

Question 14

What are some of the difficulties that arise when multiple parties divide the vote in varying proportions?

Answer 14

Difficulties include obtaining a definite result with a clear majority and ensuring that each party involved receives its proper weight in proportion to the votes cast

Question 15

What is the electoral system known as “first-past-the-post”?

Answer 15

The first-past-the-post electoral system is where the country is divided into constituencies, each sending one representative to the legislature. The candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins.

Question 16

What is a disadvantage of the first-past-the-post system?

Answer 16

One disadvantage is that it tends to distort popular preferences and allows the stronger of the dominant parties to win elections outright with only a minority of the vote. Smaller parties may struggle to make a significant impact unless they have a strong geographical base.

Question 17

How does the Electoral College system in the United States differ from the French presidential system in terms of election outcomes?

Answer 17

In the United States, the Electoral College system requires the winning candidate to secure a majority in the Electoral College rather than a simple majority of votes cast. This can result in a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote, as seen in the 2000 election. In contrast, the French presidential system is based on a direct count of votes cast.

Question 18

What is Duverger’s hypothesis regarding the relationship between parties and electoral systems?

Answer 18

Duverger’s hypothesis suggests that electoral systems influence the number of political parties in a country. Proportional representation tends to result in multiple parties, while first-past-the-post systems tend to lead to two dominant parties with others trailing behind. However, this hypothesis has been challenged by evidence showing exceptions to this pattern in various countries.

Question 19

How is the leadership of major political parties typically chosen in Britain?

Answer 19

In Britain, the major parties choose their leaders through a national ballot of the party membership. Party leaders do not serve fixed terms and are expected to resign in the event of poor electoral performance.

Question 20

What are some criticisms of internal party democracy?

Answer 20

Critics argue that internal party democracy can lead to disunity and indiscipline, as well as potentially producing leaders who may not appeal to the general public. Party activists, who are often a minority within the population, may have preferences that differ significantly from those of the broader electorate.

Question 21

According to Downs’ (1997) model, what is the potential consequence of political parties listening too much to their activists?

Answer 21

Downs’ model suggests that parties risk moving away from the center ground if they cater too much to their activists, which could result in electoral defeat. Parties closest to the center tend to win elections in two-party systems.

Question 22

How can party activists impact coalition building in countries with proportional representation systems?

Answer 22

In countries with proportional representation systems, party activists may resist party leaderships from making necessary compromises to build and maintain coalitions. This resistance can lead to political polarization and potentially hinder effective governance, as seen in the case of Chile under the Allende presidency.

Question 23

What is a “cadre party” according to Duverger?

Answer 23

A cadre party, as described by Duverger, is defined more by its attitude to power than its identification with principles. Party members are less likely to be idealists and more likely to be ambitious individuals seeking a career in politics.

Question 24

How have political parties changed in some countries due to declining party activism?

Answer 24

In some countries, declining party activism has led to politics becoming more personalist, with a focus on prominent individuals rather than party ideologies. This decline in party loyalty has made parties vulnerable to challenges from outside politics, such as charismatic figures like Hugo Chavez and Silvio Berlusconi.

Question 25

What are clientele parties, and where are they more common?

Answer 25

Clientele parties are used by powerful families or interests to secure access to state patronage resources. They rely on clientelism or media appeals to manufacture a set of supporters and are generally anti-ideological. Clientele parties are more common in countries with a significant rural component, such as some countries in Latin America.

Question 26

How has the role of former dominant parties changed in some new democracies?

Answer 26

Former dominant parties in authoritarian systems have transformed into competitive parties in democratic systems. For example, the Mexican PRI and the Taiwanese Kuomintang have maintained themselves as significant forces in politics despite losing power. Similarly, former communist parties in Eastern Europe have continued to exist and sometimes win elections after undergoing internal reform.