October 25, Slides 5 Flashcards
What is gerrymandering?
Gerrymandering is the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one political party or group over others. It often results in oddly shaped districts designed to concentrate or dilute voting power.
How does gerrymandering impact representation?
Gerrymandering skews representation by creating districts that give an unfair advantage to a political party, potentially allowing a party to win more seats than their proportion of votes would justify.
What are “safe” districts in gerrymandering?
“Safe” districts are those deliberately drawn to ensure that one political party has a guaranteed majority, reducing competition and accountability in elections.
How do oddly shaped districts relate to gerrymandering?
Oddly shaped districts are a hallmark of gerrymandering, as they are intentionally drawn to group certain populations together or split them apart for electoral advantage.
How does gerrymandering affect political polarization?
Gerrymandering can increase political polarization by creating “safe” districts where candidates cater only to their base, rather than seeking broader appeal.
What is proportional representation?
Proportional representation is an electoral system where the percentage of votes a party receives corresponds to the percentage of seats they get in the legislature. This ensures that “every vote counts.”
How does proportional representation differ from Single Member Plurality systems?
Unlike Single Member Plurality, proportional representation is not based on geographic districts and avoids “winner-takes-all” outcomes. It focuses on reflecting the overall vote distribution across all voters.
What are the benefits of proportional representation?
Proportional representation ensures fairer representation of smaller parties, enhances voter engagement by making “every vote count,” and provides a more accurate reflection of voter preferences.
What are the challenges of proportional representation?
Proportional representation can lead to fragmented legislatures, making it harder to form majority governments. This can result in inefficiency and the need for coalition-building to pass legislation.
Which countries use proportional representation?
Countries like Italy, Norway, and Israel use proportional representation for their electoral systems, ensuring fair and proportional outcomes based on party votes.
Why is proportional representation considered “less efficient”?
Proportional representation is considered less efficient because it often requires forming coalition governments, which can slow decision-making processes and make governing more complex.
