Electoral systems examples: Flashcards
What are the different voting systems?
- FPTP.
- AMS
- STV
- SV
What is FPTP?
- Pluralist system, need to win the most amount of votes not the majority.
- Most votes in a constituency voted in.
- 650 MP’s
- Average 75,000 people per constituency but vary.
- Safe seats dominated by a party.
What is AMS?
- Hybrid electoral system half FPTP half PR.
- 73/129 voted in FPTP.
- 56 regional seats- vote for a party, divided into 8 regions.
- d’hondt formula proportionally decides the remaining spaces.
What is SV?
- Aim to get 50% or more of the vote.
- The elected must have over 50.
- If not above 50- every candidate apart from the top two are eliminated.
What is STV?
- Each constituency has 6 representatives.
- Each party can put up 6 candidates.
- Voters put candidates in preference order.
- Droop system decides number of votes for a seat.
- Those who gain above a certain amount are elected.
What is meant by proportional representation?
An electoral system in which the parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for the,
What voting systems are made up of PR?
STV
AMS
SV
Advantages of FPTP
- Clear winner, stable and secure government avoiding coalitions
- Close relationship between MP’s and constituencies.
- Excludes extremist parties.
Disadvantages of FPTP
- Unrepresentative government
- Other voting systems also have good constituency links.
- Discrimination against small parties.
Examples of how extremist parties are kicked out?
- Winners bonus- small voting shifts lead to dramatic changes in seats. Blairs new labour won 419 seats- 64% of seats- 44% of vote.
- BNP won 2 seats in 2009 Europe election- uses PR. BNP never close in England.
Examples of the simplicity of FPTP?
- Public acceptance of putting an X in a box- citizens have clarity over how the electoral system works.
- Quick to get a result- 59 minutes in Newcastle central after the vote finished.
Examples of FPTP creating strong and stable government?
- 365 seat conservative majority in 2019 election means things can actually be effectively passed.
- Can deliver what the manifesto promises- Boris Johnson and get Brexit done, legislative support.
Examples of poor representation from FPTP?
- Benefits from winners bonus. Main parties.
2. 1951- conservatives won but labour got more votes and opposite in 1974.
Examples of how FPTP can discourage participation?
- Two party politics restricts choice, people tactically voting and not voting 3rd party as it is a ‘waste’
- 2019 election- 32 million votes did not count toward the result of the general election.
Examples of PR having stable governments?
- Norway, Spain and Sweden. OECED countries have no more frequent elections than Canada.
- Higher turnout in PR- leading to father stability
Examples of how complicated PR is?
- AMS- Voter must choose a regional and constituency candidate. Half proportional and half FPTP which is confusing for people.
- STV- each constituency up to 6 representatives- placing them in order. Extremely confusing.
Examples of how PR can lead to power struggles?
- Three year suspension at NI over issues with green deal.
- Often coalitions in Scotland- right now SNP and green used to be labour and lib dems.
- DUP threatening to close the northern Irish assembly again.
Examples of how PR is representative?
- Coalitions in Scotland- allow for compromise and representation.
Advantages of STV?
- Proportional result.
- Wider choice of parties.
- Small parties representatives
Disadvantages of STV?
- Complex.
- 6 representatives can make accountability unclear.
- Extremist parties.
- No Irish Gov between 2017 and 2021.
Disadvantages of AMS?
- Regional could be lazy and leave it up to constituency.
- Proportional elements allows more extremist parties to gain seats.
Advantages of AMS?
- 2 Votes meaning lots of choice.
- Maintains a strong constituency link.
- Proportionality in results- representing smaller parties.
Advantages of SV?
- Ensures winners have over 50% of the vote.
- Easy to operate and understand.
Disadvantages of SV?
-Winning candidate may not necessarily be first choice.
Police and crime commissioner disadvantage to SV?
-Independent Ron Ball independent won 33.3.% of vote and conservatives 32%. In revote conservatives won.
How many seats does the green party have in Westminster and how many does it have in the Scottish parliament?
- 1- Westminster.
- 6 in Scottish parliament.
What percentage of the vote did the BREXIT party win and what amount of seats did it get in 2015?
- 12% of the vote.
- 1 seat.
- 7 at welsh assembly
Examples of how AMF “proportionalises” the vote?
-2016 welsh assembly- labour 70 of AMS constituency seats. with 35% of vote, afterwards, they were given 48% of seats.
Which arguably major party benefits from PR?
-The liberal democrats.
What is SV generally used for?
Police and crime commissioner- 2 candidates.
Why does STV have fewer wasted votes?
-Choice.
In what year were there 5 parties in the Northern Irish assembly?
2017.
How many times has the SNP been in government alone in Scotland?
-twice but with a minority.
