MMP, representation and participation

Question 1

What is plurality?

Answer 1

Whichever candidate gets the most votes wins. Do not need majority

Question 2

What is the mechanical effect of FPP?

Answer 2

Rewards winners disproportionately. FPP takes no account of votes across the whole country, sometimes the ‘wrong party’ wins. Argued to give too much power to a few at the top

Question 3

Political Effects of FPP?

Answer 3

Established and maintained political system dominated by two parties.
Significant lack of diversity in representation.
“safe seats” ignored, while “marginal seats” hotly contested

Question 4

MPP how does it work?

Answer 4

People get 2 votes - electorate and list/party.
% of party votes = % seats
Country divided into 71 electorates; 64 general, 7 Maori

Question 5

MMP rules to get into Parliament

Answer 5

Get more than 5% of party vote - threshold
Win an electorate (coat-tailing)
If a party gets more electorate seats than they are supposed to get through their party vote, Parliament will have a overhang.

Question 6

Consequences of MMP

Answer 6

One party less likely to be able to govern alone.
Parties getting the most votes more likely to get the most seats
More parties if voters want them
More legislative checks and balances

Question 7

Counter argument to MMP

Answer 7

More complicated to understand.
Complexity can reduce turnout
Even more power to the leadership of the party
People still avoid wasting their vote

Question 8

How do we assess electoral systems?

Answer 8

Range of measures, some contradictory/mutually exclusive
Legitimacy within community
Proportionality between votes and seats in Parliament
representation of constituents, including Maori, minority and special interests included