electoral systems

Question 1

name four electoral systems

Answer 1

first pas the post (FPTP), single transferable vote (STV), additional member system (AMS), supplementary vote (SV)

Question 2

define mandate

Answer 2

the authority for a party that wins an election to govern

Question 3

where is AMS commonly used

Answer 3

in Wales, Scotland and the London assembly

Question 4

where is STV commonly used

Answer 4

Northern Ireland

Question 5

where is SV commonly used

Answer 5

for London mayors

Question 6

what is the purpose of elections

Answer 6

to remedy complaints of corruption in the system
to reflect changing political attitudes
representation
choosing a government and granting it mandate to govern
holding the government to account
an opportunity for democracy/ political participation

Question 7

describe the majoritarian voting system and give an example

Answer 7

a majority is 50% + 1 to win , likely to produce a two party system e.g SV

Question 8

describe the plurality voting system and give an example

Answer 8

having more votes than anyone else thus winning but not through having an overall majority , likely to produce a two party system, no majority is required to win a seat e.g. FPTP

Question 9

describe the proportional voting system and give an example

Answer 9

allocates seats in a manner which roughly reflects the % of voters gained by a party, no purely proportional systems are used in the UK but a number of systems used are more proportional than FPTP e.g AMS, STV

Question 10

uk general elections should be held ever ? years

Answer 10

5

Question 11

what voting system does the uk use

Answer 11

FPTP

Question 12

how does FPTP work

Answer 12

voters cast their vote for a candidate of their choice and the candidate who receives the most votes win

Question 13

what are 4 advantages of FPTP

Answer 13

• quick and simple (results are declared quicker)
• excludes extremists
• strong constituency link
• promotes stable government

Question 14

expand on the simplicity advantage of FPTP

Answer 14

a simple system for the voters not a confusing mathematical formula produces a quick result, so voters know how it works + knows their vote will be counted,
increasing political participation/turnout and reducing spoiled ballots

Question 15

expand on the advantage of producing a strong government by using FPTP

Answer 15

it should produce a strong single party government that can effectively lead the country rather than needing coalitions/ a compromise of parties

Question 16

expand on the advantage of FPTP producing a strong constituency link

Answer 16

gives a clear link between each area and a representative providing effective local representation + clear accountability to constituents

Question 17

expand on the advantage of FPTP’s centrist policies

Answer 17

third parties struggle to gain success under FPTP which keeps extremist parties out of office. clear choice between two parties

Question 18

what are the disadvantages of using FPTP for Westminster elections

Answer 18

limited voter choice
unequal vote value
questionable legitimacy of MP’s
lack of proportionality

Question 19

expand on the disadvantage ‘lack of voter choice’

Answer 19

the resulting two party system gives voters a lack of real choice leading to reduced turnout or tactical/strategic voting and so not all political opinions are expressed equally

Question 20

expand on the disadvantage unequal voter value

Answer 20

uneven constituency sizes
one person vote can be more valuable than another
undermines key principles of democracy

Question 21

expand on the disadvantage lack of proportionality

Answer 21

two main parties are over represented compared to the % of the vote they receive
other parties underrepresented

Question 22

what are the 4 effects of FPTP

Answer 22

two party system
winners bonus
strong single party government
safe seats & swing seats

Question 23

expand on the effect two party system and give an example

Answer 23

FPTP = plurality system so seat can be won with small amount of votes (Alistair McDonald he won Belfast south 2015 with 24.5% of votes )
FPTP favours large parties e.g. labour and conservative

Question 24

expand on the effect winners bonus

Answer 24

FPTP over rewards the winning party , higher % of seats gained by the winning party than the % of votes they won

Question 25

give two examples of winners bonus

Answer 25

1997 - labour won 43% of the votes but 63% of seats

2015 - conservative won 37% of votes but 51% of seats

Question 26

expand on the effect safe sweats & swing seats + give examples

Answer 26

safe seats are those which a particular party can guarantee victory due to voter loyalty e.g. Witney , East Surrey
swing seats are those where voter loyalty is more evenly split between parties e.g. croydon central

Question 27

how does AMS work

Answer 27

two votes one uses FPTP to elect an MSP , one uses a list system (v.proportional) that decides on representatives uses the D’Hondt formula

Question 28

what are the advantages of AMS

Answer 28

proportional result ( % of votes match up with % of seats won )
more voter choice (more parties are represented)
greater government legitimacy
greater representation (minority parties given more of a chance)

Question 29

what are the disadvantages of AMS

Answer 29

more complicated (does not encourage political participation)
coalitions more likely (so government is weaker)
has FPTP’s issues
two tiers of representatives (blurs accountability)

Question 30

how does STV work

Answer 30

NI divided into 18 large multi member regions each sending 6 representatives to the NIA , voter is given a ballot they cast the ballot by numbering candidates to win a candidate needs to achieve the ‘droop quota’

Question 31

what are the advantages of STV

Answer 31

very proportional (increased legitimacy)
high level of voter choice
has enabled rivals in NI to create a power sharing govt

Question 32

what are the disadvantages of STV

Answer 32

weak constituency link
NI govt still prone to arguments
complicated

Question 33

how does SV work

Answer 33

two columns of boxes alongside candidates name on ballot paper
X for 1st favourite X 2nd box for 2nd favourite
first to reach 50% + 1

Question 34

what are the advantages of SV

Answer 34

ensures broad support for the winner (can claim strong mandate)
simple and straightforward
allowed independent candidates to win

Question 35

what are the disadvantages of SV

Answer 35

not proportional
two party dominance
false majority some votes aren’t counted (wasted votes = large number)

Question 36

AMS is a compromise between _____ and ____ and allowed ____ to play a part in the Scottish govt until ____

Answer 36

labour , SNP , labour , 2007 (lost seats to SNP)

Question 37

what was the impact of introducing PR systems on governments

Answer 37

has led to a greater number of coalition or minority governments being formed in the regions using them
strong single party governments formed by AMS led to discussions if it should replace FPTP
Wales & Scotland pressured further power to be devolved to them (Wales = gaining primary legislative , Scotland = independence ref )

Question 38

what was the impact of introducing PR systems on parties

Answer 38

• number of nationalist parties successfully competing in elections has increased e.g. DUP & SNP gained more influence
• smaller parties have become ‘king makers’ exercise power beyond electoral success suggests they should have
• minor parties more recognised
• conservative gained more seats in Scotland after AMS now 2nd largest party