Comparing Electoral and Party Systems Flashcards
Structural aspect of elections and electoral systems
UK
- 5yrs, PM unlimited
- UK less elections, mayors
- FPTP
US
- 2yrs HOR, 6yrs Senate and 1/3 for re-election every 2yrs
- US more election, primaries, state judges, governors
- FPTP
Rational aspect of elections and electoral systems
- Policies for core voters
- Both use social media
- Leaders personal qualities
- Focus on swing states
273/399 presidential campaigns in swing, 2019 36/61 marginal constituencies - Midterms in USA, constant campaigning
Cultural aspect of elections and electoral systems
- US personality, Uk party focus
- US primaries/caucuses, UK party membership candidates
- Young liberal, rich conservative
Two-party system in the UK and the USA: Similarities
- Parties represent wide range of views
- Parties experience rebellions
- Both parties in favor of keeping current system
2016 Trump praised EC
Two-party system in the UK and the USA: Differences
- Republicans more right wing than Conservatives, Labor more left than Democrats
- USA weak party discipline
- National parties less control
Why the USA is still a two-party system while the UK is moving towards a multiparty system
- Higher thresholds
15% of votes to be in debate - Voters in US feel their vote is wasted
- Lack of funding for 3rd parties in US
- Wide range of candidates in primaries
Significance of third-party and independent candidates in the UK and the USA
Balance of power
- 3rd parties in power in 2010 Lib Dems, 2017 DUP
- 2000 Rapl Nader, votes from Gore
Representation
- 2024 Voter Share US 98.1% Uk 57.4%
- 2024 Party Members Conservative 138k Reform 200k
- Scotland 2021 election 61/129
Securing votes
- 2024 Reform 4.8m votes
Similarity of party policies in the UK and the USA
Conservatives and Republicans
- Tax cuts, 2018 Trump 35-21, corporate 2010 Tories 28-19
- Increase military budget
- US MAGA, UK first and Brexit
- Both try to reduce immigration
Labor and Democrats
- Higher tax on rich
- Better public services
- International cooperation
- Imigration accepted
Differences of party policies in the UK and the USA
Conservatives and Republicans
- Same sex marriage David Cameron
- Republicans more sceptical of international organizations
- Conservatives strict gun control
Labor and Democrats
- Not every Democrat support medicare for all
- Labor more nationalization
- Labor free education
Arguments for greater party unity in the USA, and for growing party division in the UK
US greater unity
- 2018, HOR Rep stick with their 91%, Dem 89%
- Trump impeachment 2019
- Most Rep pro life, while Dem pro choice
- Not many criticised Trump takeover
UK growing division
- Multiple PMs
- Rebelions Thatcher, Brexit
- Conservatives, Labor divided
Arguments against greater party unity in the USA, and for party unity in the UK
US division
- 2017 69%, 2018 50% Senators stick with party
- Trump 2021, 10 Republicans voted to impeach
- Some Rep disagree with Trump on tariffs
- Trump failed to repeal Obamacare
UK unity
- Whip system
- Centralised structure
- Public image
Similarities and differences between the UK and USA campaign and party finance
Similarities
- Regulated, capped in both countries
US FEC PAC 5k, UK EC, 30k a candidate
- Expensive
UK 43M 2019, 14b 2020
- Transparent in both countries
Donations must be reported
Differences
- US heavy relies on private donation
- US no limits on spending per candidate
- Super PACS
Musk 118M America PAC
