hybrid electoral systems Flashcards
what is the other name for hybrid electoral systems?
AMS (alternate member systems)
what two voting systems does it combine?
FPTP and closed party list
where is AMS used?
elections to the scottish parliament, welsh assembly and greater london assembly
how does voting work with AMS?
voters cast 2 votes, one for a local candidate to represent their constituency and one for a party to be allocated proportionally
how can AMS create tension?
tension between constituency MSPs who are accountable to their constituents, and party list MSPs who have no links to their constituency
what are the advantages of AMS?
-broadly proportional result
-retains MP constituency link to a certain extent
-gives greater choice, can vote for a minority party in the regional vote without fearing it will be wasted
what are the disadvantages of AMS?
-party list MSPs are chosen by the party and don’t represent constituents so gives party leaders greater influence
-more complicated than FPTP which could lead to incorrectly completed ballot paper
what has AMS allowed to happen in scotland?
-the emergence of a multi party system
-coalition or minority governments are the most likely outcome, but majority governments are still possible - SNP formed one in 2011
examples of effects of AMS
- in 2021 in the scottish parliament election the greens won only 1.3% of the constituency vote but 8.1% of the ‘top up’ votes and so won 8 seats
