electoral systems

Question 1

aims of electoral systems (4)

Answer 1

1. proportionality
2. effectiveness
3. simplicity
4. responsiveness

Question 2

proportionality

Answer 2

ensuring that there’s a good match btw observed divisions on the level of society and the composition of the parliament

Question 3

effectiveness

Answer 3

forming a stable and coherent government

Question 4

responsiveness

Answer 4

how responsive is the system to individual voters - is there a clear link

Question 5

political instrumentality

Answer 5

saying something is important/ the best because it’s in your best interest.

Question 6

small parties favor…

Answer 6

proportionality

Question 7

large parties favor…

Answer 7

effectiveness

Question 8

minority parties favor…

Answer 8

responsiveness

Question 9

majoritarian ES

Answer 9

elections take place in single member district. there’s one MP from that electoral district.
R1: 2+ candidate options if s.o gets 50% elected
R2: top 2 candidates

Question 10

majoritarian ES leads to..

Answer 10

electoral coalition formation

Question 11

proportional representation ES

Answer 11

elections take place in multi member districts. seats are allocated in a proportion to the received votes. ( % votes => % seats)

Question 12

proportional representation differs based on…. (3)

Answer 12

1. degree of choice of candidate
2. level of threshold
3. formula of seat allocation

Question 13

degree of choice of candidate in PR systems (3)

Answer 13

1. closed list: only party choice not candidate
2. semi-open: presented with multiple candidates according to popularity
3. single transferable vote: you rank candidates acc to your preferences.

Question 14

plurality system (first past the post)

Answer 14

voters vote for candidates- they need to get more than anyone else- not a majority

Question 15

mixed system

Answer 15

allows voters to choose individual candidates in single member constituencies and also choose for party lists

Question 16

2 types of mixed systems

Answer 16

1. mixed member majoritarian: 2 seperate elections determined by SMP and PR
2. mixed member proportional: PR seats are used to adjust the total number of seats.

Question 17

3 major consequences of electoral systems

Answer 17

1. proportionality
2. party systems
3. minority representation

Question 18

proportionality as a major consequence

Answer 18

• plurality systems: if all candidates get similar amounts of votes the results aren’t representative.
• pr: if they have a high threshold- it isn’t representative, also high level of proportionality can cause instability (hung parliament)

Question 19

duverger law

Answer 19

countries with a majoritarian system have a two party system

a. mechanical: how the system translates votes into seats
b. voters thinking if they vote to a small party, their vote doesn’t matter

Question 20

problems with duverger law (2)

Answer 20

party system may cause electoral system

if a parys votes are concentrated in a region- this doesn’t matter

Question 21

minority representation as a consequence…

Answer 21

plurality: you only put forward a candidate that appeals to the medium voter because you have one chance
pr: you can create balance tickets.

Question 22

ES manipulations in majoritarian systems (2)

Answer 22

a. malapportionment: deliberately ignoring the spontaneous changes in the composition of your districts.
b. gerrymandering: redrawing borders

Question 23

ES manipulations in PR systems

Answer 23

legal thresholds