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A Level Politics - Component 1 > 3. Electoral systems > Flashcards

3. Electoral systems Flashcards

1
Q

What is the vital function that electoral systems perform?

A

In a democracy turn the votes casted at an election into seats - each of which is held by a single representative

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2
Q

What are the functions/uses of an election?

A
  • Representation
  • Choosing the government
  • Holding a government to account
  • Participation
  • Influence over policy
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3
Q

What is the most important criteria when judging different voting systems?

A
  • A fair result that gives equal value to peoples votes across the country
  • A choice of candidates
  • An effective link between the elected representative and the constituency
  • A strong government that can press laws but can be held to account by the electorate
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4
Q

What categories do the three electoral systems in the UK fall under?

A

Majoritarian
Plurality
Proportional

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5
Q

What voting system does the plurality system fall under?

A

First-past-the-post

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6
Q

What voting system does the majoritarian system fall under?

A

Supplementary Vote

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7
Q

What voting system does the proportional system fall under?

A

Additional Member System (AMS)
Single Transferrable Vote (STV)

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8
Q

How does the plurality system work?

A
  • When you have more votes than anyone else, but not necessarily an overall majority
  • Likely to produce a two-party system
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9
Q

How does the majoritarian system work?

A
  • A majority of less than 50% is required to win.
  • May refer to the number of votes to win a seat, or the number of seats to win a government.
  • Likely produces a two-party system
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10
Q

What happens if no party has a majority?

A
  • Two or more parties may choose to work together and form a coalition
  • or the party may choose to form a minority government.
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11
Q

How does the proportional system work?

A
  • Seats are allocated that reflect the percentage of votes gained by a party.
  • Likely to produce a multi-party system
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12
Q

What is First Past The Post (FPTP)?

A
  • Where the candidate with the largest number of voters is elected
  • Victory is achieved by having at least one more vote than other contenders
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13
Q

What does FPTP often lead to in regards with party systems?

A

Often leads to a two-party system due to its plural nature

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14
Q

What is the problem with FPTP in some constituencies?

A

A winner takes all nature means that a person can win the seat with far less than 50% of the vote, provided the other parties get less than them.

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15
Q

What is an example of the FPTP problem?

A

Alasdair McDonnell achieved just 24.5% of the popular vote, yet still won his seat. He represents less than a quarter of the people in his constituency at Westminster.

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16
Q

What is the ‘winner’s bonus’?

A

The outcome that FPTP often leads to the winning party being overrewarded

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17
Q

What does FPTP often return?

A

Return a single party with a strong majority

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18
Q

What are the advantages of FPTP?

A
  • Simplicity - should cause more voters to vote as it is incredibly easy
  • Strong government - It has always provided the country with a clear winner
  • MP-constituency link - An elected official is more likely to be interested in remedying local issues as they are more likely to be re-elected as a result
  • Centrist policies - Reduces the chance of an extremist group entering parliament
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19
Q

What are the traditional disadvantages of FPTP?

A
  • Lack of voter choice - The ‘winner-takes-all’ nature means that the only real choice for many voters is between Labour and Conservatives. e.g. ‘Vote Swap’
  • No majority needed - The election that takes place does not require a candidate to have a majority, merely a plurality, so the candidate’s legitimacy is reduced.
  • Disproportionate result - The disproportionate result leads to the over-representation of the larger parties, and under-representation of the smaller parties.
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20
Q

What is the Conservative belief on FPTP?

A

They believe it should remain as it makes it easier for them to remain in office as it creates artificial majorities for themselves

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21
Q

What have the developments been within the argument of FPTP system reform?

A
  • Increasing number of Safe Seats
  • Disproportionate results
  • Failure to deliver strong single-party government
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22
Q

Why has the increasing number of safe seats been an argument for FPTP system reform?

A
  • In 2015, 21 seats were won by more than 50%.
  • In 2017, 35 seats were won by more than 50%.
  • This demonstrates the increasing inequality of the value of a vote in the UK
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23
Q

Why has the increasing number of disproportionate results been an argument for FPTP system reform?

A
  • With more votes cast for third parties, the disproportionate result of the vote has become more noticeable.
  • 2015, UKIP gained ~ 4 million votes but achieved only 1 seat. SNP gained ~1.5 million votes but achieved 56 seats.
  • Within each of the countries of the UK, a different party won each election.
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24
Q

Where is the AMS implemented?

A
  • The Scottish Parliament
  • Welsh Assembly
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25
Q

How does the AMS work?

A
  • Each voter is given two votes.
  • One for their local representative, one for their regional representative
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26
Q

What are the two parts of the AMS ballot?

A
  • Constituency Vote
  • Regional Vote
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27
Q

How does the constituency vote work within AMS?

A
  • The country is divided into smaller constituencies.
  • Each constituency elects a single representative on a ‘winner-take-all’ basis.
  • Whoever is elected is given a seat within the Parliament.
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28
Q

How does the Regional Vote work within AMS?

A
  • The country is divided into larger areas made up of multiple constituencies.
  • You are given another vote for the regional area, voting for a party rather than a person.
  • The regional votes are counted, and then applied to a formula
  • The formula is then completed for each party, with the party with the largest number having another seat.
  • This process is repeated until the desired number of seats are allocated.
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29
Q

What does the regional vote cause?

A

Parties that do less well within the constituency vote are more likely to gain seats

30
Q

What party particularly benefits from the AMS in Scotland?

A

Conservatives

31
Q

What are the advantages of the AMS system?

A
  • Split-ticket Voting - Voters have more choices with two votes to cast, which can be independent of one another
  • Encourages more parties to run
  • Governments become more legitimate, particularly if they are within a coalition
  • Greater Representation - All areas are represented by a constituency and regional representative, so voters are more likely to find someone that represents their ideology
32
Q

What are the disadvantages of the AMS system?

A
  • More complicated - The first stage of voting is very simple, the second is not. Many voters may be put off as it could appear the vote is mathematically manipulated, therefore reducing turnout.
  • Single-party governments become very unlikely - The proportional nature of AMS means single-party governments are notoriously difficult to achieve, making coalitions more likely. This makes governments weaker and more unable to pass policies
  • Different types of representatives - Having two representatives can cause tension and confusion for voters. It also blurs accountability as people may be unclear as to who to blame for problems in their area.
33
Q

What are the overall effects of the AMS?

A
  • A multiparty system - likely leading to coalition
  • Safe seats and swing seats from the FPTP side
34
Q

What is the Single Transferable Vote?

A

Voters express their preference, ranking them in numerical order from 1 to X+1. X > 1.

35
Q

Where is the STV used in the UK?

A
  • Northern Ireland Assembly
  • Local elections in Scotland and Northern Ireland
36
Q

How does STV work?

A
  • The country is divided into large multi-member regions.
  • The voter ranks the candidates in order from 1 to X+1. X>1 {x: x=ℤ}
  • The total number of votes within each region is then counted.
  • A candidate must then meet a droop quota to be elected.
  • Any candidates that achieve the droop quota are automatically elected.
  • The votes they achieve over the droop quota are then redistributed to any second preferences they had.
  • If another party achieves above the droop quota, they are then elected.
  • If no parties meet the quota, the smallest party is eliminated, and all of their votes are redistributed across the other parties.
  • This repeats until all of the seats are filled.
37
Q

What does the STV do in terms of vote representation?

A

There is a closer correlation between voter percentage, and seats elected

38
Q

What are the effects of STV?

A
  • A multiparty system
  • Coalition governments
  • The likelihood of safe seats is low
  • Value of each vote is more uniform
39
Q

What are the advantages of STV?

A
  • Proportional Result - It is the most proportional system used within the UK. THe result is closely correlated between the percentage of vote cast and percentage of seats gained.
  • Voter Choice - Voters have a great deal of choice, not only between parties but also within parties.
  • Greater Representation - The multi-member constituencies mean a voter is likely to have someone available that shares their ideologies.
40
Q

What are the disadvantages of STV?

A
  • More complicated - While the process is simple, the following maths is more difficult to understand, so people may choose not to vote.
  • Unlikely single-party government - The proportional nature means that most governments will need to be coalitions. These are often weaker than single-party governments.
  • Lack of Constituency Link - With no local representatives, the link between an elected representative and their area is weaker
41
Q

What is a supplementary vote?

A

A majoritarian voting system in which voters can express two preferances

42
Q

How is London Mayor elected?

A

Supplementary Vote

43
Q

What does the supplementary vote ensure?

A

The winner must have a majority of the vote

44
Q

How does the supplementary vote work in practice?

A
  • The area is treated as one large constituency.
  • Voters are given a ballot paper with all of the candidates listed, along with two columns.
  • The voter will place an X for their first choice, and an X for a different second choice.
  • If anyone has a majority, they win the election.
  • If no one has a majority, only the top two candidates remain, and the second votes for the eliminated candidates are reallocated to the final two candidates.
  • Whoever has a majority at this point wins.
45
Q

What are the effects of SV?

A

Likely a two-party system. (possibly more so than FPTP)

46
Q

What are the advantages of the SV?

A

Majority result - Increases the legitimacy, while still ensuring extremist parties are kept out of influence.

Voter choice - Voters can vote for a smaller party with their first choice, but using their second choice on a larger party to ensure their vote is not wasterd.

Simple system - It is easy to understand

47
Q

What are the disadvantages of the SV?

A
  • Two party dominance - The elimination of all but two candidates in one go means that third parties are unlikely to do well, making the result less proportional.
    This may encourage tactical voting with the second choice.
  • A false majority - As there are two rounds of voting, the voters may not actually have wanted the winner in office, but as they had enough second choice votes, they take office.
  • Wasted votes - Similar to FPTP, there are a large number of wasted votes that have little to no effect on the election outcome.
48
Q

What was expected of proportional systems in terms of government types?

A

More coalition / minority governments

49
Q

What has been argued about smaller parties representation?

A

Their powers are over-represented as small parties have now become kingmakers as they can choose who enters into power especially if elections are close.

50
Q

What impact has proportional systems had on the wider UK FPTP system?

A

Smaller nationalist parties such as the SNP saw more success within Scotland and as a result became a larger party in the larger General Elections

51
Q

Where is AV used in British politics?

A

It is used to decide the Labour party leader

52
Q

How does AV work (Alternative vote)?

A
  • Voter rank candidates in order of choice.
  • If on the first count, no candidate has reached more than 50% of the vote, the candidate with the lowest votes is eliminated and votes are given to the second place candidate.
  • The process continues until one candidate reaches 50%.
53
Q

How does the STV system show ‘a fair result that gives, as far as possible, equal value to people’s votes across the country’ in comparison to FPTP?

A
  • STV translates votes into seats more fairly, helping smaller parties that are under-represented under FPTP.
  • It does away with tactical voting as voters do not have to vote for the candidate who is most likely to block the one they dislike
54
Q

How does the STV system show ‘a choice of candidates’ in comparison to FPTP?

A

STV gives voters a wider choice, even allowing a choice between candidates from different wings of the same party in a multi-member constituency
- On the other hand, it may encourage ‘donkey voting’ - voters may list candidates in rank order as stated on the ballot paper

55
Q

How does the STV system show ‘an effective link between the elected representative and the constituency’ in comparison to FPTP?

A
  • This is weaker under STV, especially in underpopulated multi-member constituencies which are too large for their representatives to know well
  • On the other hand, the absence of safe seats under STV makes candidates work harder for votes, so that they have to address concerns across the whole of the constituency
  • FPTP encourages parties to focus on key marginal seats at the expense of others
56
Q

How does the STV system show ‘a string government that can pass laws but can be held to account by the electorate’ in comparison to FPTP?

A
  • Votes take longer to count under STV, possibly delaying the formation of a government
  • It is likely to produce a coalition - this may encourage a more consensual style of government, or it may lead to instability
  • Coalition pursue a programme agreed by politicians after the election, on which voters have not given a verdict. Or it may result in a weak minority government. Both can occur under FPTP, but they are much less common
57
Q

What is a referendum?

A

A vote on a particular issue, usually requiring a yes/no response

58
Q

What are the factors of referendums?

A
  • An example of direct democracy within a representative system
  • There’s no constitutional mechanism requiring a prime minister to hold a referendum; they’re called at the discretion of the government
  • The result doesn’t have legal force and it has to be approved by parliament, which has legal sovereignty
  • However, in practice it is highly unlikely that the country’s elected representatives would ignore the will of the people
59
Q

What is the history of referendums being used in the UK?

A
  • Were unknown till 1973 when voters in NI were asked whether they wanted to stay in the UK
  • The first national referendum was held in June 1975, when Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson gave the electorate a vote on whether they wanted to stay in the European Economic Community
  • Since the election of the New Labour government in 1997 they have become more common
  • There is now an expectation that a referendum will be called when an important, possibly irreversible, constitutional change is contemplated
60
Q

What is an example where referendums has shown to lead to the best outcome?

A
  • Major developments such as devolution for Scotland, Wales and NI, have been given public approval in this way
  • The decision to leave the EU, wouldn’t have occurred had it been left up to parliament.
  • The vote for ‘Brexit’ in the June 2016 referendum led directly to a change of prime minister and confronted Theresa May’s government with a hugely complex challenge, to negotiate the terms of Britain’s departure
61
Q

What does the Electoral Commission do with referendums?

A
  • Since 2000 they regulate the conduct of referendums
  • They’re a independent body that’s responsible for checking the wording of the referendum question to ensure that it is as objective as possible
  • They also monitor expenditure by the rival campaigning groups, and designates one approved ‘lead campaign organisation’ on each side
  • E.g. in the EU referendum, the official groups representing the two sides were ‘Vote Leave’ and ‘Britain Stronger in Europe’. This designation entitled them to receive a pre-determined amount of public funding
62
Q

In what circumstances is a referendum held?

A
  • Legitimising a major government initiative
  • Getting a government out of a difficult situation
  • A result of a deal between political parties
  • In response to pressure to hold a referendum
63
Q

Explain how a referendum is held when the circumstance is legitimising a major government initiative?

A
  • Since the advent of the Blair government, it has become the accepted practice to secure a demonstration of public support before embarking on important, possibly irreversible constitutional changes
  • E.g. The 1997 referendums on devolution for Scotland and Wales, and in NI on the 1998 Good Friday Agreement
64
Q

Explain how a referendum is held when the circumstance is getting a government out of a difficult situation?

A
  • Referendums have sometimes have sometimes been used when a government faces serious internal disagreement
  • By handling the decision to the people and insisting that colleagues then rally behind the popular verdict, the government can maintain its unity
  • Harold Wilson held a referendum in 1975 because his party was split between pro- and anti-European factions
  • If he had tried to insist on the government taking a particular position he would have faced damaging resignations from ministers on the other side
65
Q

Explain how a referendum is held when the circumstance is a result of a deal between political parties?

A

David Cameron agreed to hold a vote on changing the electoral system for Westminster because this was a demand of the lib dems, as part of the coalition agreement establishing the government in May 2010

66
Q

Explain how a referendum is held when the circumstance is in response to pressure to hold a referendum?

A
  • Cameron initially did not want to hold an in/out EU referendum
  • He joined forces with the Lib dems and Labour in October 2011 to defeat Conservative backbenchers who were pressing for a referendum
  • He changed his mind in January 2013 as the demand refused to go away, and he began to fear the possible loss of Conservative voters to UKIP if he did not concede
  • By announcing that he would hold a referendum if re-elected in 2015, he took the issue off the agenda at the ensuring general election
  • After the election he had to make good his promise, resulting in defeat for the ‘Remain’ side that he had championed and bringing about his resignation as PM
67
Q

What is the difference between referendums and an election?

A

Election
- Elections must be held at regular intervals by law. The 2011 Fixed Term Parliaments Act has set the date for general elections at intervals every 5 years
- In an election, voters are pronouncing on a range of different policy issues, not a single question

Referendum
- In the UK there is no legal or constitutional requirement to have a referendum - it is a political choice
- Referendums are on major issues, when government needs to secure public backing or feels obliged to consult the electorate directly
- The government proposes the question, although the wording is now approved by the neutral Electoral Commission

68
Q

What is the case FOR referendums in a representative democracy?

A
  • Referendums involve the people directly in decision-making on important issues. No trust in politics and may questions are too important to leave down to politicians
  • Referendums are a check on ‘elective dictatorship’ - the idea that executive dominance of the House of Commons gives it undue power. Prevents a gov from rushing through a change without consulting the people and etc.
  • By demonstrating clear public support for a change, referendums settle arguments and entrench reforms. Could help bring stability to the new institutions created
  • Referendums raise voters’ political awareness e.g. Scottish referendum 2014
  • Been subject to independent supervision by the Electoral Commission since 2000 which reduces the chances that the result will be skewed as a result of unfair influence, as the expenditure of the competing sides limited and the wording of the referendum question is subject to review by an independent body
69
Q

What is the case AGAINST referendums in a representative democracy?

A
  • They’re a challenge to parliamentary sovereignty. Voters elect representatives to take decisions on their behalf and this was the accepted way of doing so until the 1970s. Ordinary people lack the expertise to make decisions on complex questions
  • If the arguments are not explained clearly to the public, popular participation may be low e.g. 2011 referendum on electoral reform
  • Governments choose whether or not to call a referendum e.g. Blair and Brown denied the electorate a say on the Lisbon Treaty of 2007 (caused outrage among opposition). Also, governments sometimes hold referendums for their own political purposes e.g. to defuse opposition and to overcome their own differences
  • Low turnout has been the norm, with outstanding exceptions e.g. Scottish independence referendum in 2014. The limits the legitimacy of the decision
  • The outcomes of referendums can be influenced by factors that have nothing to do with the subject being put before the electorate. They can be a way of registering a protest against the government of the day
70
Q

What are marginal seats?

A

Seats held by a small majority, where a small swing to an opposition candidate can cause the seat to change hands

71
Q

What are safe seats?

A

Constituencies in which the sitting MP has a secure majority over the nearest rival, and is largely immune from swings in voting choice

72
Q

What is a minority government?

A

A government that takes office but doesn’t have a majority of seats in parliament, making passing legislation difficult

A Level Politics - Component 1 (7 decks)

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