electoral systems

Question 1

main functions

Answer 1

• to choose representatives
• to enable citizens to participate in political process
• enables citizens to hold government to account
• provides citizens with choice
• education

Question 2

functions

Answer 2

• 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)

Question 3

plurality

Answer 3

to win a seat, candidate only requires one more vote than any other candidate, don’t need to secure majority

Question 4

majoritarian

Answer 4

used to elect a single candidate, these systems are designed to attempt to secure an absolute majority for the winning candidate

Question 5

proportional

Answer 5

system that attempts to allocate seats in direct proportion to votes cast

Question 6

hybrid

Answer 6

system that mixes two other types of system such as plurality and proportional

Question 7

constituency

Answer 7

a geographical area used to determine which people each elected representative represents

Question 8

absolute majority

Answer 8

party winning over half the votes

Question 9

types of electoral systems

Answer 9

first past the post
additional member system
single transferable vote
supplementary vote

Question 10

first past the post

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

grand coalition

Answer 11

a coalition between two major parties such as the current german CDU-SDP government

Question 12

mandate

Answer 12

the right to govern and pass legislation

Question 13

party system

Answer 13

the number of significant political parties and the nature of the competition between them

Question 14

plurality system

Answer 14

to win, a candidate needs only one more vote than their nearest rival

Question 15

political cleavage

Answer 15

division of voters into voting blocks

Question 16

stable government

Answer 16

capable of lasting a full term

Question 17

strong government

Answer 17

capable of passing legislation

Question 18

wasted votes

Answer 18

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

Question 19

tactic voting

Answer 19

changing vote to more likely winner

Question 20

pr

Answer 20

proportional representation

Question 21

prephology

Answer 21

specialises in voting behaviour

Question 22

first past the post

Answer 22

need person with most seats not person with most votes

Question 23

AMS (additional member system)

Answer 23

• 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

Question 24

advantages of AMS

Answer 24

broadly proportional outcome
voters have more choice
preserves constituency link to proportional outcome
assists smaller parties

Question 25

disadvantages of AMS

Answer 25

produces two classes those with constituency responsibilities and those without
more complex and confusing for voters
can allow extremist candidates into the system

Question 26

single transferable vote (STV)

Answer 26

fully proportional
used for northern ireland assembly and local elections
complex
typically 6 seats per constituency

Question 27

strengths of STV

Answer 27

broadly proportional outcome
wide choice of candidates
helps smaller parties and independent candidates

Question 28

weaknesses of STV

Answer 28

complex and difficult for voters to understand
counting is time consuming
encourages extremist parties
limited accountability

Question 29

supplementary vote (SV)

Answer 29

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

Question 30

advantages of SV

Answer 30

winner can claim overall majority
simple to understand
choice for voters

Question 31

disadvantages of SV

Answer 31

winner may be 2nd choice
strengthens 2 party system
excludes 3rd and smaller parties

Question 32

cognitive performance

Answer 32

measure of how well our brains function