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Government & Politics > Chapter 2 - Electoral Systems > Flashcards

Chapter 2 - Electoral Systems Flashcards

1
Q

What is a majoritarian system? What kind of constituencies does it have?

A

Where a candidate must secure an absolute majority (50% + 1). Candidates are usually elected in single member constituencies. Non proportional

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2
Q

What is the plurality system? What kind of constituencies does it have?

A

The winner needs the plurality of votes (1 more than their closest rival). Single member constituencies, non proportional. FPTP is a simple P.S.

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3
Q

What is Proportional Representation? What kind of constituencies does it have?

A

Covers many system which offer a close fit between votes and seats. The district magnitude is important- bigger= more proportional. EP elections are PR. Multi-member constitutions

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4
Q

What is a mixed system? What kind of constituencies does it have?

A

A proportion of representatives elected in single member constituencies by majority/plurality systems, and the others are elected as additional members by PR

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5
Q

What kind of system is FPTP?

A

Simple Plurality System

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6
Q

What is the size of the average constituency?

A

70,000 people

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7
Q

What are the traditional features & outcomes of the FPTP system? (name 3)

A

Two party system, a winner’s bonus, bias to Labour Party, marginalized 3rd & smaller parties, single party government

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8
Q

Define ‘Party System’

A

The set of political parties in the system and the relationships between them

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9
Q

What percentage of the electorate voted for the main two parties in 2015?

A

67%

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10
Q

Explain 3 reasons for FPTP’s bias to Labour

A 
Differences in constituency size (inner city ones smaller, and voting Labour)
Turnout (lower at Labour held seats.. 61% vs 68% to Conservatives)
Tactical Voting (as in 2001 and 2005)
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11
Q

Which elections did not deliver a single party government?

A

Feb 1974 and 2010

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12
Q

Name 3 advantages of FPTP?

A

Simplicity, Clear Outcome, Strong and Stable Government, Responsible Gov, Effective Representation

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13
Q

Name 3 disadvantages of FPTP?

A

Disproportional outcomes, plurality, votes are unequal value, limited choice, divisive politics

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14
Q

Define wasted vote

A

A vote for a losing candidate in a single-member constituency or vote for a winning candidate not required for them to win. (74% of votes in 2015 lost this way)

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15
Q

Define Adversarial Politics

A

A situation in two party systems where the governing party is confronted by an opposition party that offers a different policy programme

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16
Q

Summarise the Alternative Vote in 4 points

A
  • Single Member Const.
  • Majoritarian
  • Numbered Preferences
  • Lowest place eliminated & 2nds distributed
17
Q

Name 2 advantages of AV

A

Representatives elected by majority
Candidates need broad support
Link between Const. and Reps. maintained

18
Q

Name 2 disadvantages of AV

A

Not proportional
Least unpopular not most popular
Second preferences of extremist voters considered

19
Q

Summarise the Supplementary Vote in 4 points

A
  • Form of AV
  • 1st & 2nd Preferences
  • No majority then all but top 2 candidates eliminated & 2nd prefs added to 1st from remaining candidates
  • Candidate with highest total elected
20
Q

Name 2 advantages of SV

A

Broad support needed

2nd prefs from minor parties not considered

21
Q

Name 2 disadvantages of SV

A

Don’t need majority to win

For GE it wouldn’t be proportional

22
Q

Define Regional list in 4 points

A
  • Multi-member const
  • List of candidates
  • Vote for party (closed list) or certain candidate (open list)
  • Seats allocated proportional to votes
23
Q

2 advantages of RL

A

Proportional

Lists can be used to increase numbers of women and ethnic minorities

24
Q

2 disadvantages of RL

A

Closed list= no choice between candidates
Parties control lists and can favour candidates who support leadership
Link between const. and reps. weakened

25
Q

Define Single Transferable Vote in 3 points

A
  • Multi-member constituencies
  • Numbered preferences
  • Candidate has to meet Droop quota: (total poll/(seats+1) + 1
  • If not met, lowest eliminated, etc
26
Q

Name 2 advantages of STV

A

Only party with 50%+ can form gov
Large range of candidates
Proportional

27
Q

2 disadvantages of STV

A

Less proportional than list systems
Weakens link between Reps. & Consts.
Produces Coalition gov

28
Q

Define Additional Member System in 5 points

A
  • Proportion elected by FPTP
  • Additional Members elected in multi-member constituencies
  • AM done with list system
  • 2 votes- one for single member and one for multi-member const.
  • AMs allocated using d’Hondt rule
29
Q

Name 2 advantages of AMS

A

Balances desirability of const rep with fairness in election outcomes
Broadly proportional
Greater choice- split ticket voting

30
Q

2 disadvantages of AMS

A

Creates 2 classes of reps
Parties have control over lists
Smaller parties unrepresented because multimember seats elect few representatives

31
Q

Where is SV used?

A

(London) Mayoral Elections, and Police & Crime Commissioner

32
Q

What is Closed RL used for?

A

European Parliament elections in UK

33
Q

STV is used where?

A

Assembly, Local Gov in Scotland, elections in Northern Ireland

34
Q

AMS is used where?

A

Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly, London Assembly

35
Q

Name 5 key impacts of the new electoral systems

A 
Greater proportionality
Multi-party systems
Minority/coalition governments
Split ticket voting
Complexity
Low Turnout
Weakened constituency links
36
Q

How many ballots were rejected at the 2007 Scottish Parliament election because they were filled out wrong?

A

146,000

37
Q

What was the turnout for Police and Crime Commissioner elections in 2016?

A

26.4 %

Government & Politics (69 decks)

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