paragraphs Flashcards
Majoritarian systems
Winning candidate must win absolute majority (50%+1) An example of this would be the Supplementary Vote system, which is used to elect the mayor of London and other mayors in uk towns/cities. Because candidate must win absolute majority, he/ she must achieve broad support which gives greater legitimacy. However, if this system were to be used for general elections it would not deliver proportional results as large parties would take a higher proportion of seats than their share of vote merits due to concentration of support.
Proportional representation
The outcome is more proportional as there is close fit between the share of voted won by a party and share of seats allocated. Means that votes are of equal value which reduces safe seat and wasted votes. The single transferrable vote is a proportional system used for Northern Ireland elections and Europeans Parliament, However, it is more likely to cause coalition governments that may be weak or unstable. For example in Northern Ireland it led to 4 out of 6 elections resulting in coalition.
Single member plurality systems
Used in general elections in the UK such as FPTP, winner needs a plurality of votes (one more than their closest rival) It generally produces. clear winner and strong stable governments by favouring the major parties and giving the winning party a winner’s bonus. This is preferable as strong governments can fulfil their mandate and enacting their manifesto policies and they can decisively in times of crisis. Coalitions on the other hand can be weak and unstable. However FPTP does not always produce a majority government as was the case with the 2010 coalition and 2017 minority government.
One reason for holding referendums in the UK
Educates public on issues, The Electoral commission send out info to educate public so they can make a more informed decision. For example in 2011 ref on av, electoral commissions explained how AV and FPTP worked. Media coverage of res also expose evidence and arguments. However media can be over simplified and false. For example both ‘remain’ and ‘leave’ campaigns in 2016 Brexit made claims that have been found misleading, undermining legitimacy of results.
2nd Reason
A form of ‘pure democracy’ and encourage political participation and engagement. Referendums give everyone an equal vote as there are no wasted votes in contrast to general elections where voters living in safe seats and supports of third party have little opportunity to make their voices heard. Indeed it is estimated that nearly 14 million voters live in constituencies that have been held by the same political part since the second world war. However they don’t always lead to greater participation, for example the AV referendum only had 42% turnout. They also lead to voter fatigue, as seen in the USA.
3rd Reason
Can provide a mandate that governments can lack. For example, turnout at the 2015 election was 60% and the conservatives were only supported by 24% of the voters, giving them a weak mandate. For example, the Scottish independence act had a turnout of 84.5% with 55% opposition. Good Friday agreement had a turnout of 81% with 71% supporting the agreement. However, referendums won by a narrow majority do bring issues and limits mandate, lead to further questions such as Brexit (2016)
Three theories for explaining how people cast their votes.
The sociology model holds that long term factors such as class, age, ethnicity, region and upbringing are the main influence on how individuals vote, For example, the working class has traditionally voted labour whilst upper and middle Classe voted conservatives. However, the link between class and voting has weakened since the 1940s, due to class realignment which can be explained by improved social mobility, the decline of traditional working class industries and use of white collar jobs and conscious efforts for parties to move to the ‘political centre’ like New Labour and conservatives to broaden their appeal, becoming catchall parties.
The Rational Choice model
Argues that as a result of declining party anticipation, bipartisanship and declining importance of sociological factors such as class, more voters decide their vote by rationally campaigning parties, evaluating them based on short term factors such as party position on an important issue, as the spatial model suggests. One of the most salient issues recently was Brexit and each party’s stance on Brexit can explain why many voted how they did.
The Valence model
Voters do not hold strong positions and instead simply want positive outcomes such as economic growth, For this they may look at which party appears more capable of delivering these outcomes and voters will likely consider short term factors such as leader, party’s reputation, the media and debates. Polls conducted in 2017 suggest leader have significant impact on voting behaviour. thus can be evidenced by Corbyn’s defeat in 2019.
Functions of political parties.
Representation. Individuals within a party share the same political ideologies and views, and citizens can vote for policy makers who are in lines with their interests and views, For example, the Labour Party Traditionally represented the working class while the conservatives represented the working class and upper classes. In recent years, partisan dealignment and class dealignment accompanies by the the rise of centrist ‘catchall’ parties can be sold to undermine this role.
Political recruitment and training future leaders.
In the Uk parliamentary system, leaders such as leaders of departments and of the government will generally have to work their way up, starting as a mp and being promoted to junior and minor cabinet positions before rising to lead major departments and even government. During this process they gain vital experience and knowledge ensuring they are well equipped to lead the country. For example, Theresa May was chair woman of the Conservative Party, the minister for women and equality’s and the longest serving Home Secretary before becoming prime minister
Policy formulation
Parties discuss and develop policy proposals before presenting them to voters in their manifesto ahead of an election. By presenting voters with a clear choice and direction, parties are able to be elected, from a government and using its mandate, enact its manifesto policies that were approved by the people. This means that political parties effectively carry out the will of the people in there policies.
Explain and analyse three Thatcherite policies
Privatisation of state owned industries
In 1984 Thatchers government privatised British Telecom with over 2 million people buying shares in the company. Further companies followed such as British Gas, British Airways and electricity companies. The aim of privatisation was to create competition which increases efficiency and hard work, hence increasing profits which is better for the economy. Since Thatcher, privatisation has gone further for example British Rail was privatises under her successor John Major and the Royal Mail in 203 was partially privatised.
Limited State intervention in the economy and regulation of business
In 1986 the government introduced massive deregulation of banks, financial service and the London stock exchange. This proved successful in generating competition and profit and establishing London as global centre for financial services, although it is blamed by some for the Mal practice in banking that will ultimately lead to the banking crisis of 2008.
State welfare and lower taxation
Under the previous Labour government there had been high levels of income tax for high earner, but Thatcher progressively cut income tax - the basic rate of tax fell to 25% while the higher rate was cut from 83% to 40%. The conservatives have continued with the policy of low taxation, for example their 2025 manifesto pledged not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT. However in recent years conservatives have been rebranded ‘compassionate conservatism’ under Cameron with more Welfare provision and public spending in attempt to be a ‘broad church’ and gain support.
