Elections Flashcards

Question

examples of proportional systems of elections

Answer 1

STV AMS party list

Answer 2

voters are given two votes (a first and second preference) if a candidate wins +50% then elected, if not all candidates drop out leaving top two candidates second preferences redistributed the winner will now achieve a majority

Answer 3

winner will have majority of vote (including second preferences)

Answer 4

``` simpler than av strength as winner must have 50% support reduces number of wasted votes split preferences (you can vote twice) still maintains link between constituents and their representative ```

Answer 5

turnout very low where used winning candidate can still lack legitimacy as won with second choices complicated emphasizing to make second vote count encourages voters to support main parties (and no their preferred second choice smaller party candidate) = tactical voting

Answer 6

country divided into constituencies candidates put as many candidates as they like in order of preference then once have 50% = won (so bottom candidate drops out each time and their vote distributed) how miliband won on fourth vote with questionable legitimacy

Answer 7

2/3 seats elected by fptp 1/3 elected by regional list system (but they are not in proportional to votes cast but distorted in favour of those parties that have been most disadvantaged in the constituency by fptp called differential top-up system)

Answer 8

two types of representation increased voter choice enables smaller parties to win some seats approximately proportional result in total tended to produce coalition governments (until 2011 = SNP majority in scottish parliament and labour won exactly half of seats in welsh assembly)

Answer 9

voters get 2 choices can split voting preference 3rd parties benefit from 2nd vote 2nd parties also benefit when they have done less well in fptp PL prodicess additional members on a multi member constituency coalition likely but if enough support majority government possible (post 2011)

Answer 10

multi member candidates are hard to remove fptp members are vulnerable multi members have no close link to their constituents doesnt create or support a multi party system in practice

Answer 11

multi member constituencies votes place candidates in order of preference each party produces a list of up to 6 candidates (in practice the list is around 3 members long) electoral quota calculated = ( total no votes cast / number of seats to be filled +1 ) +1 candidate who fills quota with first preference then the surplus votes from those candidates are redistributed based on second preferences the process continues until 6 candidates have achieved the quota

Answer 12

power sharing executive where multiple parties participate in government

Answer 13

no need for tactical voting parties have to form power sharing executives (perfect in places like NI where there are such strong social divides) competition from candidates from the same party (judged on individual record and personal strengths) relatively proportional to votes cast small parties benefit choice of members whom constituents can take their grievances to

Answer 14

degree of proportionality will change from one election to the next strong, stable government unlikely = coalitions breaks link between single member and their constituents less accurate at translating votes into seats multi member constituencies are divisive encouraging competition among st members from the same party

Answer 15

country divided into regions each party creates a list of candidates for each region in order of the parties preference voters select a party to support (and their list) seats are awarded in direct proportion to votes cast winning candidates represent a region rather than a constituency

Answer 16

multi party system creating coalitions

Answer 17

proportional votes are equal weight encourages smaller parties eg ukip no 2 party dominance

Answer 18

constituency weak link chose parties not people parties chose the list small parties hold too much power

Answer 19

a measure of competition between parties in a given country. it is a description of a political system indicating approximately how many political parties gain significant representation

Answer 20

``` simple to use quick to count keeps out extremist parties keeps a constituency link produces strong government produces a stable government clear accountability reflects broad popular movements poor alternatives no demand for change ```

Answer 21

``` lack of legitimacy (MPs and government) unfair to small [parties bias to large parties bias to labour may 2010 proves strong stable government argument wrong wasted votes safe seats = electoral deserts poor social representation ```