electoral systems Flashcards
main functions
- to choose representatives
- to enable citizens to participate in political process
- enables citizens to hold government to account
- provides citizens with choice
- education
functions
- uk is highly democratic
- voting is secret
- almost all adults eligible (not prisoners and house of lords)
- anyone can stand for office
- controversy regarding first past the post (system used for general elections)
plurality
to win a seat, candidate only requires one more vote than any other candidate, don’t need to secure majority
majoritarian
used to elect a single candidate, these systems are designed to attempt to secure an absolute majority for the winning candidate
proportional
system that attempts to allocate seats in direct proportion to votes cast
hybrid
system that mixes two other types of system such as plurality and proportional
constituency
a geographical area used to determine which people each elected representative represents
absolute majority
party winning over half the votes
types of electoral systems
first past the post
additional member system
single transferable vote
supplementary vote
first past the post
- method of election to choose our representatives
- supports two party system
- labour party broke through to replace liberal party
- conservative and labour parties remain dominant
- same constituencies are safe seats others are minority seats
grand coalition
a coalition between two major parties such as the current german CDU-SDP government
mandate
the right to govern and pass legislation
party system
the number of significant political parties and the nature of the competition between them
plurality system
to win, a candidate needs only one more vote than their nearest rival
political cleavage
division of voters into voting blocks
stable government
capable of lasting a full term
strong government
capable of passing legislation
wasted votes
votes in excess of winning margin, or for losing candidates
voting for candidate who’s less likely to win so either change vote to more likely winner (tactic voting) or don’t vote at all
tactic voting
changing vote to more likely winner
pr
proportional representation
prephology
specialises in voting behaviour
first past the post
need person with most seats not person with most votes
AMS (additional member system)
- combines FPTP with proportional representation used for elections to scottish parliament, welsh assembly and greater london authority
- voters have 2 votes, one for constituency candidate and one for regional list of parties
- supports smaller parties but favours larger ones
advantages of AMS
broadly proportional outcome
voters have more choice
preserves constituency link to proportional outcome
assists smaller parties
disadvantages of AMS
produces two classes those with constituency responsibilities and those without
more complex and confusing for voters
can allow extremist candidates into the system
single transferable vote (STV)
fully proportional
used for northern ireland assembly and local elections
complex
typically 6 seats per constituency
strengths of STV
broadly proportional outcome
wide choice of candidates
helps smaller parties and independent candidates
weaknesses of STV
complex and difficult for voters to understand
counting is time consuming
encourages extremist parties
limited accountability
supplementary vote (SV)
city mayor elections
voters have 2 votes (1st and 2nd preference)
if candidate achieves more than 50% of 1st preferences they are automatically elected
if not, top 2 candidates go to 2nd ballot
usually delivers overall majority
advantages of SV
winner can claim overall majority
simple to understand
choice for voters
disadvantages of SV
winner may be 2nd choice
strengthens 2 party system
excludes 3rd and smaller parties
cognitive performance
measure of how well our brains function
