Electoral Systems

Question 1

Describe the first past the post system

Answer 1

Plurality system

Country is divided into constituencies and the winner of a constituency only has to gain the most votes

Question 2

Places which use FPTP

Answer 2

Britain
India
USA

Question 3

Advantages of FPTP

Answer 3

Responsible government
Produces majority rule
"Kick the rascals out"
Link to constituency
Simple

Question 4

Disadvantages of FPTP

Answer 4

Not proportional
No majority
Lots of wasted votes
Lower turnouts
Tactical voting

Question 5

What is AV?

Answer 5

Majoritarian
Rank candidates
Eliminate lowest candidate until there is a majority candidate

Question 6

Places using AV

Answer 6

Australia

Question 7

Advantages of AV

Answer 7

Creates majority
Maintains blink
Need braod support

Question 8

Disadvantages of AV

Answer 8

Not proportional

Least unpopular win

Question 9

What is Single Transferrable Vote

Answer 9

STV
Proportional
Multi-member constituencies
Must gain the Droop Quota - (total no. seats+1)+1
Number candidates Candidates with more than quota get in
Those left gain wasted votes until all seats are filled

Question 10

Where is STV used

Answer 10

Republic of Ireland

Malta

Question 11

Advantages of STV

Answer 11

Proportional
Large range of candidates
No wasted votes

Question 12

Disadvantages of STV

Answer 12

Weak link

Question 13

What is the proportional representation

Answer 13

Parties create lists
Seats adjudicated on percentage of votes
Adjudicated going down the list
Large constituencies or whole country constituencies

Question 14

Places where it is used

Answer 14

EU election in UK
Israel
Netherlands
Austria

Question 15

Advantages of propo system

Answer 15

High proportinality

Lists increase minority representation

Question 16

Disadvantages of propo system

Answer 16

No voter choice of candidates
Parties control listsNo link to constituencies
Some wasted votes

Question 17

What is a mixed system

Answer 17

Part proportional/part FPTP

Question 18

Places using mixed systems

Answer 18

Germany
Wales
Scotland
Bolivia

Question 19

Advantages of mixed systems

Answer 19

Keeps link
Still proportional
Less wasted votes
More choice

Question 20

Disadvantages of mixed system

Answer 20

Creates two categories of representatives
Parties control lists
Underrepresented minor parties
Hurdles exclude parties

Question 21

Duverger’s ideas on electoral systems

Answer 21

Psychological need to vote for parties which win

Electoral system determines party system

Question 22

How does the no. of votes cast affect how votes are conducted

Answer 22

Split ticketting

People might tactically vote by spreading votes where they are most effective

Question 23

How does the seat allocation affect the results

Answer 23

Overhnaging and underhanging votes which are wasted ==> tactical voting
Some systems favour larger parties which are spread out.

Question 24

How does the choice of candidates affect

Answer 24

Choice means candidates need to attract for reasons other than the party line
Parties will stack women where there is no choice
Party list makes party more important

Question 25

How does the no. of seats per district affect voting

Answer 25

Larger districts mean larger party magnitude

Impacts translation of votes into seats

Question 26

No. of wasted votes in the 2017 general election

Answer 26

22 million (68%)

Question 27

% of the vote won by the Tories and Labour in 1970

Answer 27

89%

Question 28

% of vote won by the Tories and Labour in 2010

Answer 28

65%

Question 29

% of the vote won by the Tories and Labour in 2017

Answer 29

82%

Question 30

% of the vote won by Clinton and Trump n the 2016 presidential race

Answer 30

94.27%

Question 31

% of the vote won by Nixon and George McGovern in 1970

Answer 31

97.5%

Question 32

% of the vote won by Bush and Gore in 2000

Answer 32

96.3%