electoral systems

Question 1

FPTP

Answer 1

• used in UK
• two party/majoritarian system
• each voter selects 1 candidate, the one with the highest number of votes wins the seat

pros: quick, clear winner, prevents extremism, strong govs

cons: not representative, wasted votes (safe seats), encourages tactical voting, excludes minor parties, parties can win majorities with small vote share (Labour 34% 2024)

Question 2

STV

Answer 2

• used in Australia
• proportional representation
• voters rank candidates in order of preference. To be elected, candidates must reach a certain quota of votes. If they achieve the quota, they are elected and the remaining votes are transferred to other candidates.

pros: representative, vote transfers mean less wasted votes, more voter choice, reduces tactical voting

cons: takes longer, more complex, coalition govs

Question 3

Party List system

Answer 3

• used in EU parliament
• proportional representation
• uses the D’Hondt method:
  total number of votes received by party/no. of seats that have been won so far +1

pros: representative, fewer wasted votes

cons: coalition politics, possibility of extremist parties gaining influence, weak governments

Question 4

AMS

Answer 4

• used in Scotland/Wales
• mixed system
• voters cast 2 votes, one for a candidate using FPTP, and one for a party using proportional representation

pros: reduces wasted votes from FPTP, balances local representation with proportionality

cons: complex, less representative, coalition