EXTRA-Elecotral systems and party system Flashcards
When is the main and common advantage associated to Proportional Representation?
it encourages a proliferation of minor parties
How many parties in Weimar Germany contested in the 1930 election?
24
Why was in difficult in Weimar Germany in 1930 for any one party to gain a majority under PR?
because there was 24 parties contending
What happened to the government in Weimar Germany as a result of PR in 1930?
this created weak and unstable coalition governments
How did the weakness of PR in Weimar Germany 1930 lead to the people favouring the Nazi Party?
This is because they promised firm leadership in comparison to the weak and unstable coalition governments
In which 2 countries have individuals and small parties been able to gain representation which makes it harder to achieve a stable government?
Israel and the Irish Republic
What does Duverger in 1962 say regarding FPTP and PR?
that the simple majority, single ballot system favours the two party systems; the simple majority system with second ballot and PR favours multipartyism
Who in 1962 said
that the simple majority, single ballot system favours the two party systems; the simple majority system with second ballot and PR favours multipartyism
Duverger
What country is an example that a PR system can have a two-party system?
Malta
Which country used a considerably less proportional system with its supporters hoping that this would weaken the tendency to multi-partyism but has not happened?
Italy
What happened when Italy tried to change to a considerably less proportional system in order to weaken the tendency to multi–partyism?
this has not happened
What factors can encourage the existence of several parties? (3)
historical, social and personal factors
What are the two arguments that dispute the fact the two party system is not necessarily as a result of FPTP?
- Some examples do not fit the argument (Malta)
- There are other factors besides the electoral systems that shape party systems
Which place in Britain has used the STV for local and European elections and now for its devolved one?
Northern Ireland
Who had a ‘rainbow parliament’?
Scotland
Why do voters see more point in voting for a small party in devolved elections?
as they see their vote as not being a wasted one
Which parties in the General election suffers under FPTP?
Greens
UKIP
How many seats did the Greens win in the Scottish parliament in 2003?
7
In Wales under their AMS system what % of votes did Labour win? in 2016
34%
In Wales under their AMS system, what % of votes and seats did Conservatives win? in 2016
21% of votes
11 seats
In Wales under their AMS system, what % of votes and seats did Plaid Cymru win?in 2016
20% of votes
12 seats
Under AMS which is used for London Assembly Elections, how many seats did the Green Party and UKIP win? in 2016
2 seats
Under AMS which is used for London Assembly elections, how many seats out of the 25 were held by the two main parties? in 2016
20
Under the closed list for European Parliament elections who was the main party and how many seats did they gain?
UKIP
24 seats
Why was there confusion for Scottish voters in May 2007?
They were electing members of their parliament and of local councils
Why was it confusing that Scottish voters in May 2007 had to elect members for their parliament and local councils?
This is because the system was FPTP for their parliament however STV for their local councils. therefore the two ballot papers had a different design and different procedures
What did many Scottish voters misunderstand in May 2007?
They misunderstood the instructions at the top of the poorly designed paper which indicated have two votes; as a result many thought that they could choose from the regional list
What % of votes were discounted as a result of the confusion of the Scottish elections in May 2007?
7% (142,000)
What does the STV system in Northern Ireland provide the country with a history of religious strife?
provides PR for both communities to gain representation
What can be interpreted from the European elections in 2014?closed list
That UKIP earns far more proportional representation, as in the 2015 general election with 12.9% of the vote they gained only 1 seat. Whereas in EU elections, they acquired 27% of vote and 24 MEPs.
Labour and Conservatives still have a degree of dominance earning 20 (lab) and 19 (con) seats.
Green party does better, with 3 seats as opposed to one in HOC.
How many seats did the SNP win in Scottish Parliament 2016?AMS
63
How many seats did Labour win in Scottish Parliament 2016 which was less than Conservative?AMS
24
How many seats did the Green Party win in Scottish Parliament 2016? AMS
6
What can be interpreted from the Scottish Parliament elections 2016? AMS
That the nationalist party gains far more representation as a dominant party than in HOC with 63 seats.
Labour as a traditional strong hold party in Scotland has decreased with less seats than Conservatives with 24.
The Green party again has far more representation with 6 seats than in the HOC
This has allowed a strong party majority for the SNP
Which country in England voted Green in 2015 general election?
Brighton
How many seats did Plaid Cymru win in Welsh Assembly elections 2016 under AMS?
12 seats
Who gained the majority with 29 seats in the Welsh Assembly elections in 2016 under AMS?
Labour
How many seats did the Green party gain in Welsh Assembly elections in 2016 under AMS?
0
