Comparing elections and electoral systems in the UK and USA Flashcards
1
Q
what are the structural aspects?
A
- terms of office
- elections and elected posts
- electoral systems
2
Q
Structural aspect
terms of office
A
- both have set limited terms
- extending term would require constitutional amendement
- in the uk it requires an act of parliament, e.g parliament act 1911
- no overall term limit for pm
3
Q
Structural aspect
elections and elected posts
A
- more elections in the us
- there are primary elections in the us
- some uk cities have adopted directly elected mayors, police commissioners, but this is nothing compared to the us with sheriffs and state level judges and governor too
4
Q
Structural aspect
electoral systems
A
- both use fptp
- more variety in the uk
- e.g AMS and STV
5
Q
what are the rational aspects?
A
- policies for natural supporters
- use of social media
- leaders personal qualities
6
Q
rational aspect
policies for natural supporters
A
- both countries appeal to core voters with policies designed to resonate with them, e.g right wing, immigration
- trump promised to tighten mexican border
- boris spoke of a points-based immigration system
- left focus on social justice
- labour wanted to ablosh universal credit
- dems spoke of a rigged economy in 2020
7
Q
rational aspect
use of social media
A
- both use it to target potential supporters
- 2019 - uk parties made use of gender specific ads - e.g labour focused on compensating the waspi women
- trumps team posted over 2000 facebook ads on immigration
8
Q
rational aspect
leaders personal qualities
A
- both parties emphasise personal skills of leader
- trump as a deal maker in business
- johnson’s experience as a london mayor
9
Q
what are the cultural aspects?
A
- personalities
- candidate selection
- voting behaviour
10
Q
cultural aspect
personalities
A
- us elections dominated by personality, due to more individualistic nature
- uk is more party focused
- 1932 - roosevelt’s new deal and brain trust
- 1945 - churchill campaigned on his record as a wartime leader
11
Q
cultural aspect
candidate selction
A
- in the us primaries are used, only came in last 50 years
- in the uk, limited to party members
12
Q
cultural aspect
voting behaviour
A
- youth vote liberal
- e.g. 2017 election, 18-29 year olds, 60% voted labour
- in the 2018 midterms 68% of voters chose dems
- ethnicity anothe key factor, more pronounced in us
