electoral systems Flashcards
FPTP features
‘Plurality in single member constituencies’.
650 constituencies of roughly 75,000 people.
To win seat candidates need more votes than rivals. Known as Plurality.
Plurality is a contrast to absolute majority where candidates receive 50% of total votes.
In 2015 319 out of 650 MPs won an absolute majority.
FPTP strengths
It is easy to understand and produces clear results in each constituency. The result is know quickly.
It produces a single MP for each constituency.
Clear lines of accountability.
Prevents small parties from entering the system
2011 referendum rejected proposal for change.
Gives voters opportunity to select a candidate based on individual character.
FPTP weaknesses
Not proportional or fair.
Votes are wasted as they have no impact on safe seats.
Votes are of unequal value
Encourages tactical voting
Not fair for smaller parties.
Since 1945 it has always resulted in the winning party securing much less than half the popular vote. This calls into question the legitimacy of the government.
2015 and 2017 FPTP failed to deliver a majority of seats for a party.
other systems - proportional
These are systems that produce an outcome whereby the competing parties are awarded seats in the legislature in proportion to the votes cast for them, either exactly or approximately. A directly proportional system would award 40% or the available seats to the party that won 40% of the popular vote.
other systems - majority
These are used to elect a single candidate, for example a president or a mayor. They are designed to ensure that the winner can claim the support of an overall majority.
other systems - hybrids
These are a mixture of two systems. The main example is the additional member system, which is a mixture of FPTP and a proportional system.
electoral outcomes/ function/ democratic roles
Main functions are:
To choose representatives
Involve citizens in politics
Hold government to account
Democracy requires people to have a choice over who represents their interests
An educative function. Inform citizens about political issues.
Provide a mandate.
Are elections fair?
- There are more positive than negative features of UK elections (see page 110) and in comparison to the World are excellent.
additional member system (ams)
Used in Scotland, Wales, and the Greater London Assembly.
Hybrid System
A proportion of seats awarded through FPTP, the rest are awarded on regional lists. Every voter has two votes.
Adv: Produces a broadly proportional outcome, gives voters more choice, combines preserving constituency representation with proportional outcome, helps small parties.
DisAdv: two classes of representative, complex, extremists.
single transferrable vote (stv)
Used in NI for all elections and local elections in Scotland.
Proportional system.
Complex system. Voters rank candidates in order of preference. At the count an electoral quota is calculated (the amount of votes needed for a seat). Any candidates who achieve the quota wins a seat. After this stage preferences votes are counted to add to votes already achieved to bring other candidates to electoral quota.
Adv: proportional, voters have wide choice, can vote for more than one party, each voter can achieve representation, helps small parties.
DisAdv: complex, long count, extremists.
supplementary vote
Used where a single candidate is elected e.g. London Mayor.
Voters have two choices first and second. If any candidate achieves an overall majority i.e. 50% in the first round then they are elected. If this does not happen then the top two candidates go into the second round of voting. Second choice votes are added until majority achieved.
referendum features
Used for crucial issues such as those which alter the constitution. Can also be used to deal with conflict within politics and in the wider community.
Examples:
- 1998 Belfast Agreement implemented? 71.1% Yes. 81% Turnout.
- 2011 Should UK adopt a new voting system. 67.9% No. 42.2% Turnout.
- 2016 Should UK remain part of the EU? 51.9% No. 72.2 % Turnout.
- Always on a single issue
referendums for
Purest form of democracy
Mend rifts in society
Solve conflicts within the political system
Consent of the people is important and ‘government by consent’ is a key liberal principle of government.
People are much more informed than they have ever been so are therefore better placed to make political decisions than ever before.
referendums against
People are not able to understand the complexities of an issue such as the consequences of leaving the EU.
Referendums can cause social rifts.
Excessive use of referendums may undermine the authority of representative democracy.
‘Tyranny of the majority’. This means that the majority that wins the vote can use their victory to force the minority to accept a change which is against their interests. Voters may be swayed by emotions
Some questions should not be reduced to a simple yes/ no question.
