Politics - Electoral Systems knowledge questions Flashcards
What are the functions of an electoral system?
An electoral system is used to determine the results of an election.
What are the positive impacts of UK elections?
It generates democratic legitimacy and the right to govern. An election also holds politicians to account so they have to serve the people, not themselves. Elections allow the people’s views to be represented.
What does the term ‘plurality’ mean?
The number of votes cast for a candidate who receives more than other but does not receive an absolute majority.
Where is the FPTP system used in the UK?
For the Westminster elections and for the mayoral elections.
What does the term ‘majoritarian’ mean?
A majoritarian system is when the winner takes all and the winner must achieve 50 + 1 % of the votes.
Where is the SV system is / was used in the UK?
The supplementary vote (SV) is a majoritarian system. It was used for electing mayors.
What does the term ‘hybrid system’ mean?
A combination of more than one electoral system.
Where is the AMS system used in the UK?
The AMS system is used in both of Scotland and Wales electoral systems.
What are the key features of the FPTP system? Support this with examples.
The FPTP is used to elect MPs into the House of Commons. It is a single vote. All votes are counted and whoever receives the most vote in a constituency wins. The party with the most seats wins.
What are the key advantages of the FPTP system? Support this with examples.
FPTP is simple and easy, because only a single vote is cast. Also, there is a close MP-constituency relationship. If you do not like your MP, you can vote to remove them. For example, during 2019, there were two petitions to recall the MPs for Peterborough and Brecon and Radnorshire. Furthermore, only one party is in charge.
What are the key disadvantages of the FPTP system? Support this with examples.
FPTP is not proportional - the number of votes does not equal the number of seats. Also, the winning party wins with a minority of the vote. In a lot of constituencies, more people vote against their MP than for them. Furthermore, a lot more people choose to tactically vote instead of choosing who they actually would like. Just after the election, in an episode of QT, they reflected on how a lot of people have been changing their political affiliation and choosing to vote tactically.
How does the FPTP system favour concentrated support and what are the examples?
Having support in a concentrated area means that a lot of people in a specific area are voting for one party. This means that they are guaranteed a seat.
What are safe seats and how does the FPTP system favour safe seats. Support this with examples.
Safe seats are seats that are almost guaranteed to go to a specific party, so other parties may not choose to campaign in that area.
What are marginal seats and what are the implications?
Marginal seats are seats which could be swayed to any party. This means that the winning party depends on winning over these seats. Also, a party will campaign a lot more in these areas.
Why should the UK retain the FPTP system?
FPTP keeps out extremist parties and stops them from gaining too much control over Parliament.
Why should the UK change the FPTP system?
However, FPTP negatively affects smaller parties and prevents them from receiving adequate representation in the House of Commons.
What are the key features of the AMS system with examples?
The additional member system (AMS) is a hybrid system. Similarly to FPTP, the voter marks their preferred candidate with a cross. Then, on the second ballot paper, there is a list of parties who want seats in Parliament. A vote for a party is a vote for more of their MPs to enter Parliament.
What are the key disadvantages of the AMS system with examples?
AMS can be very complicated for the voter to understand. Also, it creates coalitions and minority governments. This means that a lot of time can be spent discussing instead of actually making a change. Furthermore, agreement is more difficult with so many people in charge. With the minority SNP government of 2007, they found it very difficult to pass laws because they had to rely on the votes of other parties. For example, they failed to pass a law on Alcohol Minimum Pricing in 2010 because opposition MPs voted against it.
What are the key features of the single transferable vote system and support these with examples?
The single transferable vote (STV) is a system used in Northern Ireland for its Assembly Elections. There are around six MPs for each constituency. Each party can put up as many candidates as there are seats - typically up to six. Voters vote by preference and number each candidate that they want to be voted in. There is also a quota that each candidate must reach.
What are the key advantages of the single transferable vote with examples?
It is a very proportional system. It also gives voters a lot of wide choice of candidates. A voter can vote for different parties so a person is not limited. It helps small parties and independent candidates.
What are the key disadvantages of the single transferable vote with examples?
STV can be very complex and difficult to understand. It can also take a long time to count votes. Unfortunately, STV helps extremist candidates to be voted in and the lines of accountability are not clear or established.
What are the key features of the supplementary vote system with examples?
The supplementary vote (SV) is a single ballot paper with the opportunity to vote twice. You cast a vote for your first choice, then you can choose to vote for your second choice but you do not have to.
