Week 6 readings

Question 1

Single-Member-Plurality (SMP)

Answer 1

1. MPs compete in single-member constituencies
2. Candidate with the most votes wins or first-past-the-post where the candidate only has to get the most votes, not the majortiy of votes

Question 2

“false majorities”

Answer 2

Where the elected majority government fails to win the popular vote but wins the majority of the seats anyway.

Question 3

Single minority government can govern in one of two ways:

Answer 3

1. secure enough support from one or more opposition parties to have the confidence of the House
2. form a multi-party coalition - if the parties form a majority, they are the majority government (coalition depends on compromise and collaboration)

Question 4

Andrew Potter (2009) on what the two positions of the 2008 crisis were:

Answer 4

1. Parliamentarian: we elect a parliament (not a party or president), coalitions are common in most countries, Harper clearly lost the confidence
2. Democrat: the coalition was okay in a narrow sense but violates the basic principles of democratic legitimacy

Question 5

Two differing opinions on political legitimacy, concerning change in government between elections:

Answer 5

1. Constitutional legitimacy: Can the GG refuse a PM’s request for dissoloution? Thus allowing for a dissolution and change in government?
2. Democratic legitimacy: democratically, should the GG refuse a PM’s request for dissolution? Thus allowing a new government to be formed without an election?