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Flashcards in 1- Murphy- Elections Deck (30)
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1
Q

Define election.

A

An election is an occasion when voters are given the opportunity to choose a representative or political leader.

2
Q

Define majoritarian representation.

A

Majoritarian representation is a system which garuntees that a government/ since individual is elected by an overall majority of voters (more than 50%). This applies to SV and AV systems.

  • produces clear winner
  • once elected candidate per constituency
3
Q

Define mandate.

A

A principle that, when a government is elected, it is considered to have the authority to carry out the commitments made in its election manifesto.

4
Q

Define proportional representation.

A

Proportional representation is a system whereby votes are converted to a corresponding percentage of seats. E.g if a party won 30% of the votes, they would gain 30% of the seats.

  • no clear winner
  • multi member constituencies
5
Q

Define electoral reform.

A

Electoral reform is any process which involves changing the electoral system and thus effecting changes in the political system.

6
Q

Define party system.

A

A description of a political system indicating approximately how many parties gain significant representation and influence. Systems range from single- dominant party, to two party, three party or multi-party.

7
Q

Define strong government.

A

Strong government refers to a government that can rely upon a sufficient majority of support in Parliament so it is able to act decisively and carry through its own legislation/ proposals.

8
Q

Define stable government.

A

Stable government refers to a government that is unlikely to become divided or fall from power before its term of office is complete.

9
Q

Give 4 functions/roles of elections.

A
  1. Selecting a government- done indirectly through selecting seats.
  2. Legitimacy- the electorate give the representative the authority to act on their behalf/ gov. gets a mandate to carry out manifesto.
  3. Accountability- the electorate can remove representatives/ gov. by not voting for them if they feel like they didn’t keep their promises.
  4. Educative function- citizens become informed on the major issues concerning the state when they read manifestos.
10
Q

What is the difference between an election and a referendum ( features of an election)

A
  1. elections deal with a wide range of issues whereas referendums concern a single issue.
  2. elections are held at regular intervals, while referendums can happen any time.
  3. elections concern political parties whereas referendums can cut across party differences.
11
Q

In which ways are elections democratic.

A
  1. Legitimacy- clear mandate is given to government.
  2. Equality- a key feature of democracy is that everyone has an equal chance to influence gov. policy. 1 person = 1 vote
  3. Accountability- electorate has a choice to hold representatives accountable.
  4. Simple plurality system- although many do not view the westminster system as democratic, the person with the most amount of votes wins, obeying the will of the people.
12
Q

In which ways are elections undemocratic.

A
  1. No real choice- voters can only choose between manifestos not actually influence what they consist of.
  2. Excessive gov. power- some say the mandates that elections grant gives the gov. too much power
  3. Disproportional- elections are not proportional which often works to the detriment of smaller parties
  4. Unequal resources- due to their expense, elections often work in favour of those with more abundant financial resources because the can raise awareness with more people/posters.
13
Q

What type of elections exist in the UK?

A
  1. General election
  2. Local elections (local council/ mayor)
  3. European
  4. Devolved assemblies
  5. Other- by-elections, party leadership elections
14
Q

Which system is simple plurality?

A

First past the post

15
Q

Which voting systems are majoritarian?

A
  1. Alternative vote (plus)- AV

2. Supplementary vote- SV

16
Q

Which systems are proportional?

A
  1. Regional list/ closed party list

2. Single transferable vote

17
Q

Which systems are hybrid?

A

Additional member system

18
Q

Where is the Additional Member System used?

A
  1. Scottish Parliament
  2. Welsh Assembly
  3. Greater London Assembly
19
Q

Where is the Single Transferable Vote used?

A
  1. Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Scottish/ Northern Ireland local governments

20
Q

Where is Regional List used?

A

European Parliament

21
Q

Where is Supplementary Vote used?

A

London mayor elections

22
Q

Where is the Alternative Vote used?

A

Labour and Lib-Dem leadership elections

23
Q

How does SV work?

A
  • used to elect a single individual
  • each voter choses first and second preference
  • if one candidate gets over 50% of the FIRST PREFERENCES of voters, they are elected
  • if not, all but the top two candidates are eliminated
  • second preferences for each of the top two candidates are added up. whoever has more votes wins
24
Q

How does Regional List (closed party list) work?

A
  • each party presents a list of candidates in its chosen order of preference
  • voters have one vote which they cast for a PARTY LIST, NOT AN INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATE
  • seats are awarded broadly in proportion to the votes cast for that party
25
Q

How does STV work?

A
  • on the ballot paper, the voter numbers candidates in order of preference.
  • they can vote for as many or as few candidates as they wish as in STV the constituencies are multi- member. (1 or all of them)
  • instead of securing a majority the candidate has reach an electoral quota
  • quota calculated by number of votes, divided by the number of seats plus one, and then one is added to the total.
  • candidates who reach the quota on first choices are automatically elected
  • any extra (wasted) votes are re-allocated to other candidates.
  • this continues until enough candidates meet the quota
26
Q

How does FPTP work?

A
  • voters select one candidate from a list, nearly all of whom have been nominated by a political party
  • the candidate with the most votes wins the seat for the constituency
  • 1 MP for 1 of the equally sized (population wise) constituencies
27
Q

Name 4 disadvantages/ reasons for electoral reform FPTP?

A
  1. disproportional
  2. large amount of wasted votes
  3. favours larger parties/ parties with concentrated support
  4. results in ‘safe seats’ so voters in these constituencies have less influence and votes are not of equal value
  5. 2011 coalition proves that a strong and stable government does not always strong gov. is not always provided
  6. lack of legitimacy- most MPs are elected with less than 50% of the vote
28
Q

Name 4 advantages/reasons for keeping FPTP?

A
  1. widely accepted and well understood
  2. retains strong link between the MP and their constituency
  3. produces a strong and stable government
  4. arguably keeps out extremist parties
29
Q

Advantages of a proportional system

A
  1. Fairer- less votes are wasted because they are more equal.
  2. Satisfying- could restore confidence in political process as is easier to see your vote coming into practice
  3. Prevent and ‘elective dictatorship + help smaller parties- number of parties would share power
  4. Consensus politics- a multi party system could encourage parties to work together
30
Q

Disadvantages of a proportional system

A
  1. Weak and inefficient government
  2. Weaker MP constituent link
  3. More difficult to understand