Electoral Systems

Question 1

why should we care about electoral systems

Answer 1

-

Question 2

electoral college

Answer 2

disconnect between popular vote and election winner

Question 3

types of electoral systems

Answer 3

1) plurality/majority
2) proportional representation (pr)
3) mixed

Question 4

what is plurality: first past the post

Answer 4

• country divided into large # of small districts
• each district = 1 member (candidate with largest # of vote -> majority not required)
  eg. US: congressional elections

Question 5

where is plurality: first past the post

Answer 5

• UK,Canada,India

- Bolosover (UK) 2019

Question 6

what are implications of FPTP

Answer 6

disproportional
- large parties = favored
Why?
- wasted vote
- strategic vote
Low representatives
-district level -> win seat with small % of votes
-national level -> party with most votes doesn't have to have most seats

Question 7

what is an exception to FPTP

Answer 7

regional parties do well if small

eg. 50% of votes -> 95% seats

Question 8

what are the advantages of FPTP

Answer 8

• simplicity
• greater accountability: elected officials responsible to consitutency
• two-party system/easy governmetn formation
• responsibility
• keeps extremists out

Question 9

what are the disadvantages of FPTP

Answer 9

• many votes have no impact (safe districts)
• artificial majority
• low representatives (district level)
• lower representation of minorities
• disproportionate rewards geographically concentrated parties

Question 10

what is party list (pr)

Answer 10

• country divided in districts with mag > 1 (multi-member constituencies)
• several running
• voters vote for party lists in each district
• within each district: proportion of votes translates into proportion of seats
  eg. A: 35% votes -> 35% seats
  B: 20% votes -> 20% seats

Question 11

where is party list (pr)

Answer 11

• israel
• spain
• netherlands
• brazil

Question 12

what is closed vs. open list PR

Answer 12

how are seats allocated to candidates within party lists

-

Question 13

what is closed lists pr

Answer 13

closed lists
party chooses ranking candidiates
- canidates listed at top of list

Question 14

what is open lists pr

Answer 14

• voters express preference for candidates in party lists
• candidates with most preferences are elected
  eg. party wins 5 seats, canidates with highest # of preferences elected

Question 15

list pr and proportionality

Answer 15

• potential issue with PR systems -> very high # of parties in parliament
  why % votes -> % seats
• parties w/ 1% votes would be able to elect MPs
• result = fragmented systems which makes it hard to pass legislation

Question 16

what are limits on proportionality

Answer 16

THRESHOLDS
eg. germany 5% votes
israel 3.25%
to limit number of parties in goverment
MAJORITY BONUS to party with most votes
eg. Italy (bf 2017) 340 seats/630