Midterm Review Flashcards
What is universal Suffrage?
Democratic (free and fair) elections are based on the principle “one person, one vote”.
Universal Suffrage is the right of all adult citizens to vote regardless of gender, ethnicity, wealth, or education.
What do you know about independent commisions
→ In democratic elections, contending parties and candidates should be able to observe the casting and counting of votes
→ If there is evidence that the election rules have not been properly followed, losing candidates should have the right to request a recount and to appeal the election decision
→ Without physical ballots (i.e. internet voting), recounts may be impossible
What is an alternative title to Single Member Plurality
First past the post
What is a plurality system?
Electing a single representative based on which candidate has more votes than any other candidate.
→ Voters in each electoral district elect a single representative to the legislature. The candidate with the most votes is elected, even if that candidate did not receive the majority vote. → In every riding, the candidate that wins the highest number of votes wins the right to represent that particular seat in the House of Commons. → The winner does not need an absolute majority — i.e., more than 50 per cent of the votes cast in the riding
What are the electoral systems? Name them
- Plurality/ Majoritarian
- Proportional Representation
- Mixed Member
What is the downside of plurality systems?
→It means many candidates win their seats with less than 50 per cent of the votes.
→It also means two people running in different ridings can each earn the same percentage of the vote but one may win while the other does not.
What are the Majitorian electoral systems? Name them
- Run-Off Ballot
2. Preferential Ballot
What is Run Off ballot?
An election held if no candidate receives a majority of votes; generally, only the top 2 candidates appear on the 2nd ballot to ensure that the winning candidate has a majority of the votes cast.
- Two rounds of elections
Explain what a preferential Ballot is.
voters rank candidates in order of preference.
What is Proportional Representation System
A system where a proportion of seats that the party receives in the legislature reflects the proportion of votes it has obtained.
100 seats total in Parliament 40% of votes for A, 35% for B, and 25% for C
Seats they get: 40 for A, 35 for B, 25 for C
What can a proportional representation system lead to ?
Coalition Government
What is a coalition government
2 or more parties jointed government
What are the election campaigns?
1) Premodern
2) Modern
3) Postmodern
What is the Mixed member proportional system?
Mix of SMP (Single Member purely) and PR (Proportional representation).
Some legislators are elected to represent particular districts based on gaining the most votes in that district.
While others are elected based on popular vote received by their party.
Describe Premodern Campaigns
→ Localized campaigns → Personal contact with voters → Leaflets → Signs → Leaders travelled by train
Describe Modern Campaigns
→ Public opinion polling
→ Professional campaign consultants
→ Television broadcasts
→ Photo ops
→ Appeal to broader / national audience
→ Substantial spendingDescribe Postmodern Campaigns
→ Specialized television channels
→ Computerized mail (not hand written)
→ Social media
→ Focus on controlling the message and instantly rebutting
→ arguments of opponents
→ Internet mobilization
→ No control over message spread by others on internet
→ Permanent campaigningWhat are the Canadian political cultures liberal democratic values
→ Political freedom
→ Individual rights
→ Political equality
→ Government based on the rule of lawn ( As a society we said what is right and wrong)
What factors influence Voting Behaviour?
Long term and short term Predispositions
Describe long term predispositions.
→ Social characteristics and Social class
→ gender, age, education
→ Income, education, social status
→ Religion
→ Ethnic, racial, cultural groups
→ Region
→ Ideology and values
→ Party identification
→ Personal
→ Previous voting/ loyalty
→ Family political affiliationsDescribe short term predispositions.
→ Personal qualities of leaders
→ Candidates (local candidate preference a decisive factor)
→ Issues (what should be done about important issues)
→ Valence Issues: issues on which the contending parties disagree in terms of who is most competent (versus actually taking different positions on how to manage the issue)
→ Accountability/ expectations ( crappy job at prime minister)
→ Strategic voting (when you know that a party wont win so you vote for the one that would, make it meaningful)
→ Economic condition
What are valence issues?
Valence Issues: issues on which the contending parties disagree in terms of who is most competent (versus actually taking different positions on how to manage the issue)
Ex: All parties have the same position on housing crisis. The party knows that they share the same perspective but they can’t win with agreeing. So, the Party makes it a goal to convince without implausibility that their party can do it better - alongside discrediting all the opponents to achieve their goal
What is political Efficacy?
The Belief of individuals that they can have an impact on political decisions and that the government is responsive to what people want.
Ex. The opposite of political efficacy is true in Canada
In 2011, 70% of Canadians believed that once elected,
MP’s lose touch, and 66% believed that “people like them” do not have an impact on government action
What causes reduced trust of a government?
→ Political scandals
→ Broken promises
→ More political awareness (media, internet)
→ Declining ability of government to satisfy needs and desires of
→ masses due to globalization
→ General decline in respect for authority
What is the life - cycle effect?
impact of age on attitudes/behaviours. Attitudes and behaviours evolve with time.
Why are young people less likely to vote?
→ Middle-aged and older people feel a duty to vote
→ Tend to pay less attention to elections, have less interest in politics, and have less political knowledge
→ A belief that all parties are the same
→ Lack of knowledge of alternate pays to vote (instead of polling stations), difficulty getting to polling stations, and ID requirements
→ NOT a result of a more cynical outlook or a higher level of negative feelings towards political parties
Explain Political Socialization
→ The way that values, attitudes and beliefs are transmitted in a community.
→ Political socialization is specifically how this occurs in relation to politics (i.e. younger generations, immigrants, etc.)
→ Can occur through deliberate efforts, but also naturally – i.e. young people observing the discussions and actions of adults.
→ Occurs through peer groups, families, education systems, social media, religious organizations, workplaces, etc.
→ Is a lifelong process – family is considered a major factor, however, children are exposed to various forms socialization now that they no longer rely solely on what television channel is played in the home, or what newspaper gets delivered.
SUMMARY:
How a persons political preference/identity/ culture is developed
Define ‘Politics’.
Politics is an activity related to influencing, making, or implementing collective decisions for a political community
Define Power.
The ability to achieve something by influencing the behaviours of others; get them to do what they would not have otherwise
What ways can political power be exerted?
- Coercion: Involves using fear/threats/ consequences to achieve an outcome
- Inducement: achievement of outcome by offering a reward or bribe
- Persuasion: misleading info to manipulate people and truthful info to encourage people to act in accordance with their one values/ interests
- Leadership: Model countries can encourage other countries
Define Political Agenda
Issues that are considered important and given priority in political deliberations
What are the three faces of power, and explain them.
First Face: Ability to affect decisions
Second Face: Ability to ensure that issues are not raised
Third Face: Ability to affect the dominant ideas of society ; followers, religion
What is authority?
The right to exercise power
What is legitimacy?
acceptance by members of political community that those in position of authority have the right to govern– voting
