Unit 1.3 Elections Flashcards
Briefly describe AV (alternative vote)
Where the voter ranks the candidates in order of preference. Candidates are elected if they get more than half of the voters first choice, if not the candidate voted the least is eliminated. Process continues until one candidate is left.
EXAMPLE: LABOUR LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS.
Briefly describe SV (supplementary vote)
Shortened version of AV. Only first and second choice are required, if first choice has the majority that candidate is elected, if not a second round is introduced and votes are then added. Absolute majority.
EXAMPLE: LONDON MAYOR ELECTIONS.
Briefly describe STV (single transferable vote)
Form of proportional representation where candidates are ranked to elect multiple MPs(4-6) for one constituency. Candidates need to achieve a quota of votes in order to win (droop quota). Any candidate who meets the quota in the first round is elected immediately, thereafter subsequent preference votes are transferred until the required number of candidates meet the quota.
EXAMPLE: ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS IN NI.
Briefly describe AMS (additional member system)
Form of proportional representation/hybrid system in which each elector votes separately for a party and for a representative. 2/3 of seats designated by FPTP and 1/3 by regional list. Seats are won via D’hondt formula/method.
EXAMPLE: SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT.
Briefly describe Regional party list (type of PR)
The country is divided into regions and each region offers up a list of candidates according to the number of seats in that region. Elector votes for candidates. The more votes the candidate has, the more seats they have as a party (D’hondt method). All votes contribute to the result. List can be open or closed, regional or national. EXAMPLE: BRITISH ELECTIONS TO EP.
Briefly describe FPTP (first past the post)
FPTP (simple plurality) is an electoral system currently used in the UK. Constituencies elect a single MP/party and the candidate/party who gets past the post (326 votes) or the most votes forms the government.
EXAMPLE: HOC ELECTIONS.
Define: manifesto
A list of all the things a party intends to do if elected. An informal contract between the political parties and the electorate.
What are the 7 basic functions of elections?
Choose government Participation Influence policy (timing) Legitimacy (of the people through mandate) Educate citizens (turnout/apathy) Government accountability Representation
What is meant by a minority government?
When a party has less than 50% of MPs but is still the biggest party.
What is meant by active citizenship?
Political participation is a duty not a responsibility.
Define: electoral mandate
The winning party has authority to put into effect the commitments stated on its election manifesto. It also grants authority to the new government to do whatever it feels as necessary to promote the security and welfare of the state (e.g. Syria bombings).
What is Schattschneider’s elite theory?
“The flaw in the pluralist heaven is that the heavenly chorus sings with a strong upper-class accent”
What are the 2 types of representatives?
Delegate (democratic)
Trustee (elite)
What is a delegate?
A type of representative which is not required to act on their own opinions/morals. follow strict instructions from the people on how to vote.
DEMOCRATIC-society is a ‘bottom-up’ model
What is a trustee?
A type of representative that can act on their own opinions/morals. Aware of interests of the voters but does not follow strict instructions from the people on how to vote.
ELITE-society is a ‘top-down’model.
What did Stalin quote about votes?
“It is not who wins the most votes that matters, it is who counts the votes.”
Define: Election
Elections are a competitive process in which a designated group of people, known as the electorates, select individuals who will fill particular posts. Elections use different systems to convert votes to seats.
E.g. General elections for gov.
How should elections function in a liberal democracy?
Be free and fair have meaningful choices free speech independent one person one vote translate to votes to seats.
Give four examples of elections
General election
European Parliament elections
Devolved assemblies
Local elections/by-elections
Define: QUANGO and give an example
Quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisation. E.g. NHS or OFSTED.
What are the four main types of electoral systems?
Majoritarian (AV)
Plurality (FPTP)
Proportional (LS)
Mixed (AMS)
What percentage of representation error does parliament have?
47% due to FPTP, shows illegitimacy.
Define: Constituency
A geographical territory which representatives ‘represent’ in an election.
There are 650 constituencies in the UK.
Define: mixed system
Where a proportion of representatives are elected under a majoritarian-plurality system in single-member constituencies.
Define: Majoritarian system
The winning candidate must achieve an absolute majority of votes (50% plus one) cast in a single member constituency.
~Can create winners bonus
~Strong single party rule
Define: plurality system
Winning candidates don’t require an overall majority but the need to win more votes than any other candidate.
What are the features of FPTP?
- Winning candidate needs to gain a simple majority or more votes than the others.
- Voters have only one vote each
- Each constituency returns one member of Parliament
- Each party may nominate only one candidate in each constituency
- Safe seats
- Tactical voting
What is a safe seat?
When a constituency normally elects an MP from the same political party at every election.
What is tactical voting?
Voting for the candidate most likely to defeat the voters least favourite. Votes aren’t truly free and fair.
Define electoral bias and give an example
The difference between the proportion of votes a party receives in an election and the proportion of seats it obtains.
E.g. May 2010 labour won 39.7% of seats with 29% of votes. Lib dems won 8.8% of seats with 23% of votes. Conservatives won 53% of seats with 36% of votes.
What are the advantages of FPTP?
~Simplicity/tried and tested system
~Clear outcome
~Strong and stable government (2 party system = 1 party rule)
~Responsible government (MPs close to constituents eg. through their ‘surgeries’).
~Effective representation
What are the disadvantages of FPTP?
~Disproportional outcomes (electoral bias)
~Results in inevitable two-party system
~Plurality over majority (more constituents vote against their MP than for them), leads to minority gov which may not be democratically legitimate to carry out mandate.
~Votes are of unequal value/wasted votes
~Limited choice (leads to tactical voting and safe seats)
~The spoiler effect - votes split between candidates/ballot questions with similar ideologies.
What was the result of the 2011 AV referendum?
YES - 32.1%
NO - 67.9%
What are the advantages of AV?
~Win a majority rather than simple plurality
~Campaigns have to appeal more broadly and appeal to more voters
~Keeps existing constituency boundaries
~Can reduce the number of safe seats
~No need for tactical voting
What are the disadvantages of AV?
~Could produce an even less proportional result that FPTP
~Might elect least unpopular rather than most popular candidate
~More coalitions
~Unequal votes (supporters of unpopular candidates who are eliminated first will have their votes counted more times)
~Donkey voting
What are the advantages of STV?
~Makes sure voters choose specific candidates
~More choice, districts elect more than one candidate
~Avoids wasted votes
What are the disadvantages of STV?
~Complicated for those who are familiar with FPTP
~Frequently leads to coalitions, minority’s parties have too much influence
~Doesn’t effectively transfer votes into seats like list systems.
What are the advantages of AMS?
~More proportional than FPTP
~Helps smaller parties win seats
~Maintains link between constituency and constituent MPs
What are the disadvantages of AMS?
~Can result in minority’s government/coalition
~Confusing concept
What are the advantages of SV?
~Results in majority government
~Better than AV, no 3rd choice win as SV only looks at 2 candidates
~Strong mandate
What are the disadvantages of SV?
~Exaggerates party majorities
~Doesn’t ensure that winning candidate has at least 50% majority
~Doesn’t eliminate tactical voting/wasted 2nd vote
What are the advantages of Regional list?
~Most proportional of all electoral systems
~Popular smaller parties have a bigger chance of winning
~Allows parties to improve representation as underrepresented can be higher up on the list
What are the disadvantages of Regional list?
~People don’t know who they are voting for, weak link between region and MP
~Voters can’t actually choose the candidate, top candidate may not be the best
~Regions/Constituencies in the UK are not the same size
What is the difference between an election and referendum?
~Elections are held at specific/semi-formal intervals. Referendums are held whenever it’s desirable.
~Purpose of an election is to elect representatives, referendums decide on important constitutional issues/concerns.
~Elections target a range of issues, referendums focus on one.
~The result of an election is binding whereas referendums are advisory.
~Election result is complex, referendum is simple yes/no vote.
To what extent do elections promote democracy?
•Ensures government by consent of the people.
•Holds government accountable, government are removable if necessary.
•Allows citizen participation (+educates them).
•Pluralism - allows expression of ideas.
•Ensures the peaceful transition of power (mandate/manifesto).
~Electorate may not agree with the whole manifesto, no way to indicate this in elections. Legitimate mandate?
~UK elections limit democratic choice, we don’t actually choose the PM.
~Many problems with FPTP, disproportionate results.
Outline 3 ways, other than voting in elections, that people can get involved in politics
- Join pressure group (protest = attention from media).
- Join political party
- digital democracy (e-petitions)
Give an example of where FPTP has delivered votes disproportionately into seats
In 1951 the Labour Party won more total votes than the Conservatives, but the Conservatives won 26 more seats than labour and formed the next government.
How is a government made strong and stable?
Executive branch must be dominant (at least over legislature), and so is able to implement policies without excessive obstruction.
Should survive full term in office.
What is the difference between a closed list system and an open list system?
Closed system: The party leaderships decide in what order their candidates are elected.
Open system: The voters may determine how many seats each party wins and the order in which candidates are elected.
Arguments for electoral reform
- Voters would be given more choice, better democracy.
- The value of votes would be equalised
- STV/open list will allow vote to choose between candidates of the same party.
- More accurate representation (political views and MPs).
- Reduced power in the hands of a single party that does not enjoy majority support (undemocratic).
- Could increase/encourage political participation.
Arguments against electoral reform
- Voters were against AV in 2011 referendum.
- FPTP is easiest to understand and effective (apart from 2010) in delivering a single party rule with a clear mandate.
- Coalitions would be more frequent under other electoral systems (gov. not strong and stable).
- Main supporters of electoral reform (Lib dems) have become unpopular by 2011 so support of one of their main policies declined.
Assess the arguments of adopting PR for general elections
- FPTP distorts party representation and has perhaps caused disillusionment with politics. PR would increase public support.
- FPTP excludes smaller parties from decisions/policy making, pluralism?
- Success of PR in Scotland shows it can be dynamic in a coalition/minority gov. Consensus politics.
~Complexity (counting/verifying votes), FPTP is a tried and tested system.
~Often results in coalition, indecisive government (slow legislation, mandate?, legitimacy?) as the strong and stable aspect will be lost.
~Can remove MP/constituency link
~Extremist parties gain more seats
Outline the difference between majoritarian and constitutional democracy
Both are the 2 main types of liberal democracy.
•Constitutional protects/safeguards the individual rather than society. Codified.
•Majoritarian protects society (tyranny of majority). In codified. Single party rule.
Describe the UK party system
The UK has a 2 party system in that general elections tend to produce a result which shows the dominance of only 2 parties (apart from 2010).
In 2005, what percentage of votes did the Labour Party win in order to form the government?
35.2% which gained them 356 (55.1%) seats in total.
Define: electoral reform
A process whereby the electoral system is changed or when there is a campaign for such change.
Define: Electoral system
A system which is used to convert votes in an election into seats. The process of electing a single leader.
What were the top 4 results of the 2015 general election?
Conservatives - 331 seats (votes, 36.9%)
Labour - 232 seats (votes, 30.4%)
SNP - 56 seats (votes, 4.7%)
Lib dems - 8 seats (votes, 7.9%)
TURNOUT: 66.1%
Are UK general elections democratic?
•All are free to participate •Anybody can form a political party and compete •Free information and free media •Normally deliver a democratic mandate •Free from corruption, reliable results ----- •Disproportional result, electoral bias •Usually produces minority government •Disproportionate amount of funds to supply election campaign (lib dems less wealthy)
