Comparative Elections Flashcards
1
Q
Electoral systems - Similarities
A
- Both operate nationally on a two party system
- FPTP means the winner may not have majority support
- Both executives are in via indirect elections
- Incumbency reelection high
- Two party system fueled by third party policy adoption
2
Q
Electoral systems - Differences
A
- UK has direct election for MPs only which then elects PM, not congress and pres separately
- Devolved bodies in the UK aren’t two party, SNP Success in Sco, 35 seats in westminster
- Campaign finance is more important in US than UK
- More than one electoral system in use in the UK
3
Q
Campaign finance
A
- Much more important in the US
- UK parties spend around 15M, US 1B
- Both suffer scandals, UK regarding spending, US regarding cost increases
- State funding could encourage pluralism, be fairer to 3rd parties and reduce apathy
- But would make parties less responsive to voters and challenge party independence
