EXTRA-Is Parliament Representative Flashcards
What party is an example of an electoral reformer?
the Liberal Democrats
Why would electoral reformers such as the Liberal Democrats argue that the assembly chosen in any Westminster election is not truly representative?
This is because governments have been chosen by less than half of voters in every post war elections and therefore might lack legitimacy
What fraction of MP’s in 2005 lacked majority support in their constituency?
two-thirds
What are career politicians?
these are people committed to politics which they regard as their vocation. They know little else beyond the world of politics, policy making and elections
Other than law, where do many Conservative MP’s derive from?
from business and city backgrounds
Why are elected members socially unrepresentative of those whom they serve in term of occupation and education?
Most MP’s have a degree
Why is it easy for lawyers to become involved in politics?
because they can leave and return to their jobs relatively easily
How many MP’s were over age 70 following the 2005 general election?
11
Which country has always had good women representation?
Rwanda
What are 3 factors which have contributed to the under representation of women in parliament?
1) Child-bearing and home-making responsibilities
2) The electoral system
3) the nature of parliamentary life
Why does the electoral system mean that women are more likely to be under-represented?
This is because whereas the use of proportional representation encourages the adoption of a gender balanced list of candidates, the use of single member constituencies makes their section less likely
How does the nature of parliamentary life mean that women are under represented?
as the nature tends to be masculine and aggressive
Which campaigning organisation claims that there is active discrimination against women across the political parties?
Fawcett
What are the four C’s which the campaigning organisation Fawcett claim prevent women from standing for parliament?
- culture
- childcare
- cash
- confidence
When was the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 amended to allow positive measures such as all-women shortlists to increase women’s representation?
2002
