Electoral Systems Guide Flashcards
What are electoral systems in the UK?
Electoral systems are the method which is used to elect in a political system. The UK Parliament (HOC, MPs) use FPTP while the Scottish Parliament use AMS.
How representative is FPTP in parliament?
FPTP is where the % of seats is not proportionate to the % of votes of a party wins.
How can FPTP be criticised for representation in parliament?
FPTP is ‘winner takes it all’ and benefits lager parties while smaller parties become wasted votes.
What is an example of FPTP being poor representation in parliament?
In 2024, Reform UK won 14% of votes but ,1% of seats in parliament.
How representative is AMS in parliament?
AMS has the % of seats roughly equal to the % of votes a party wins.
How can AMS be praised for representation in parliament?
AMS lists MSPs which elect them on a proportional basis. It brings smaller parties a chance of winning seats making parliament more diverse.
How can you evaluate the representation in parliament?
FPTP is poor representation while AMS is the opposite and allows for better representation of what voters want.
How representative is FPTP in Government?
FPTP creates a majority Government usually despite gaining a minority of votes.
How can FPTP be criticised for representation in Government?
FPTP is unfair representation as many voters were against the governing parties manifesto.
Why is a Government minority positive?
A majority Government gets things done quicker and with less opposition.
How representative is AMS in Government?
AMS creates a hung Government as it is representative of votes.
How can AMS be praised for representation in Government?
AMS has better representation ad forces parties to compromise.
Why is a hung Government negative?
A hung Government may struggle as parties may struggle to work together effectively.
How can you evaluate the representation in Government?
FPTP gives unrepresentative power while AMS doesn’t but may take longer to achieve things.
How representative is FPTP of women?
FPTP allows one candidate to run from each party in each constituency meaning it is more likely a man is going to be chosen over a woman.
How can FPTP be criticised for representation of women?
FPTP limits voter choice and presents unfair representation as less women are elected.
How representative is AMS of women?
AMS sees attempts at improving female representation through the list election.
How can AMS be praised for representation of women?
AMS is faired and so more bills are tailored for women.
How can you evaluate the representation of women?
Other factors may explain why less women are elected better than electoral systems.
What is tactical voting?
Tactical voting is when a person votes to prevent another party from winning and encouraged through the idea of wasted votes.
How do constituencies contribute to tactical voting?
Some contingencies are considered either ‘safe seats’, ‘two horse races’ and very rarely are three or more parties.
Why is tactical voting so negative for elections?
Tactical voting makes the election unrepresentative of voters true views.
How does AMS reduce the likelihood of tactical voting?
AMS allows for a better chance of votes for smaller parties counting.
Why does AMS not eliminate all signs of tactical voting?
Some voters are still accused of gaming the AMS system.
Why does tactical voting not limit the use of the electoral systems?
Voters are still voting to achieve something that will benefit them in some form through tactical voting and so it cannot be argued this is largely significant factor.
