Elections

Question 1

What are elections based on

Answer 1

Universal adult suffrage
One person one vote
The secret ballot
Competition between candidates and parties

Question 2

Functions of elections

Answer 2

Form government
Ensure representation
Uphold legitimacy

Question 3

What is trusteeship

Answer 3

Elected politicians should act not as delegates but as trustees, acting on behalf of others

Question 4

Problems with trusteeship

Answer 4

Allows politicians to create a gap between them and public

Out of date

Question 5

What is the doctrine of the mandate

Answer 5

After winning an election a party gains a popular mandate that authorises them to carry out their manifesto

Question 6

Problems with the doctrine of the mandate

Answer 6

Little evidence voters vote rationally

Voters will not necessarily support whole manifesto

Mandate at be unworkable in coalition

Question 7

What is descriptive representation

Answer 7

Representatives should resemble the group they claim to represent

Question 8

Problems with descriptive representation

Answer 8

Reflect society’s weaknesses as well as strengths

Electoral choice would not necessarily make it descriptively representative

Question 9

Features of first past the post

Answer 9

Voters select a single candidate

Constituencies are of roughly equal size

Each constituency runs a single candidate

Winning candidate only needs to win a plurality of votes

Question 10

Implications of fptp

Answer 10

Disproportionate
Systematic biases - size of party, distribution of support
Two party system

Question 11

Implications of pr systems

Answer 11

Greater proportionality
Multiparty systems
Coalition or minority government

Question 12

Features of additional member system

Answer 12

Hybrid system

Proportion of seats filled by fptp and remaining filled by closed party list

Uses d’hondt method

Question 13

Advantages of ams

Answer 13

Balances need for constituency representation and electoral fairness

Keeps possibility of single party govt

Allows voters to make more considered choices

Question 14

Disadvantages of ams

Answer 14

Confusion

Constituency representation will be less effective

Question 15

Features of stv

Answer 15

Multimember constituencies

Political parties can put up as many candidates as there are seats

Electors vote preferentially

Votes are counted first according to first preferences. If any candidate achieves the quota additional votes for them are counted according to second or subsequent preferences

If this leaves some seat unfurled the candidate with the fewest votes drops pit and their votes are redistributed

Question 16

Advantages of stv

Answer 16

High proportional outcomes

Competition amongst candidates from the same party means they can be judged on personal records and strengths

Constituents can choose who take their grievances to

Question 17

Disadvantages of stv

Answer 17

Single party govt is unlikely

Multi member constituencies may be divisive

Question 18

Features of regional party list

Answer 18

Large multi member constituencies

Parties compile a list of candidates in descending order

Closed - vote for party
Open - vote preferences

Question 19

Advantages of party list

Answer 19

Pure proportionality

Easier for women and minorities to be elected

Question 20

Disadvantages of party list

Answer 20

Existence of many small parties can lead to weak and unstable govt

Weak constituency mp link

Parties are more powerful as they choose where on the list people are placed

Question 21

Features of av

Answer 21

Single member constituency

Electors have two votes

Winning candidate in the elections at gain a minim of 50%

Question 22

Advantages of av

Answer 22

Ensures fewer wasted votes

As must get 50%, a broader range of views and opinion influence the outcome of election

Question 23

Disadvantages of av

Answer 23

The outcome of the election may be determined by the preferences of those who support small extremist parties

Winning parties may only win due to supplementary votes

Question 24

Long term Factors that affect voting

Answer 24

Social class
Party loyalty
Gender
Age
Religion and ethnicity
Region

Question 25

Short term factors on voting

Answer 25

Policies
Performance
Leaders
Party image
Campaigning
Tactical voting