Elections

Question 1

Purposes of elections

Answer 1

• representing populations beliefs
• legitimising the government
• encouraging participation

Question 2

Large Multi Member Constituencies

Answer 2

geographically large area with multiple seats for candidates (EUP Elections)

Question 3

Small Single-Member Constituencies

Answer 3

geographically varies, only one seat for candidates to take (FPTP)

Question 4

What type of system is simple plurality?

Answer 4

FPTP

Question 5

What type of system is majoritarian?

Answer 5

SV & AV

Question 6

What type of system is closed party list?

Answer 6

PR

Question 7

What type of system is a hybrid?

Answer 7

AMS

Question 8

What are systems evaluated on?

Answer 8

stability, constituency, accountability, proportionality

Question 9

Pros of Closed Party list

Answer 9

Very representative
Simple
Can enforce positive discrimination

Question 10

Pros of STV

Answer 10

Greater choice over candidates
Eliminates safe seats

Question 11

Pros of FPTP

Answer 11

Provides strong, single party govt
Strong constituency link
Simple
AV referendum did not pass, no mandate for change

Question 12

Pros of Supplementary Vote

Answer 12

Winning candidate has broad support
Less wasted votes

Question 13

Pros of AMS

Answer 13

Broadly representative
2 Votes to avoid tactically voting
Retains MP/constituency link
Produces strong govt

Question 14

Cons of Closed party list

Answer 14

Control over candidates
Voters cannot avoid candidates they do not like

Question 15

Cons of STV

Answer 15

More difficult for voters
Takes more time to work out

Question 16

Cons of FPTP

Answer 16

Govts usually elected with <50% of vote e.g 2019 56% seats but only 43% vote
Leads to periods of Elective Dictatorship
Wasted and unequal votes (UKIP+Greens seats vs SNP)

Question 17

Cons of supplementary vote

Answer 17

Winner may not have outright majority
Only works for electing single body

Question 18

Cons of AMS

Answer 18

Results in coalitions
Less choice
Not fully proportional

Question 19

2019 Case Study - Conservatives

Answer 19

• 80 seat majority
• partisan dealignment, geographic voting, age based voting were the primary factors
• recency factors: Brexit, immigration, healthcare, party leader image

Question 20

1997 Case Study - Labour

Answer 20

• 197 seat majority
• recency factors: policies, leaders, valence issues
• Labour embraced centrism, changing wording in Clause IV