electoral systems

Question 1

describe how first past the post works

Answer 1

candidate with largest number of votes is elected

Question 2

advantages of first past the post

Answer 2

quick to count votes
tends to create a two party system leading to a stronger and more capable government
extremist parties have little chance of being elected
strong link between MP’s and constituencies

Question 3

disadvantages of first past the post

Answer 3

MP’s are often elected on less than 50% of the vote
produces government elected on a minority of the popular vote
there is no proportionality
there is limited voter choice due to the two party system
votes are not of equal value

Question 4

describe how additional member system works

Answer 4

the voter gets two votes. the first vote is for a single constituency representative, elected using FPTP. the second is for a party list

Question 5

advantages of additional member system

Answer 5

split ticket voting means voters get more choice
more proportional than fptp
strong link between MP and constituency
electors have more choice under AMS

Question 6

disadvantages of AMS

Answer 6

creates two types of MP leading to an unfair system where some have more power than others
there is too much party power over the lists
smaller parties are not fully represented

Question 7

describe how single transferable vote works

Answer 7

voters number their choice numerically in order of preference. if on the first round the quota is achieved then they are elected and subsequent votes are redistributed to voters second choice. if no quota is achieved then least popular is eliminated and the votes are redistributed until a quota is achieved

Question 8

advantages of STV

Answer 8

close correlation between votes and seats
voter choice is high as their preference is taken into account and therefore a vote is less likely to be wasted
in northern Ireland it created a power sharing government between unionists and nationalists ending 30 years of violence

Question 9

disadvantages of STV

Answer 9

not fully proportional particularly in small member constituencies
in large member constituencies link between member and the voter may be weal
it may bring rival groups together but they are still prone to conflict. executive was suspended for 5 years in northern Ireland due to fighting in government.

Question 10

describe how supplementary vote works

Answer 10

voter gets two votes; first and second preference. candidate who gains over 50% of the first preference vote is automatically elected. if this doesn’t happen then all but top two candidates are eliminated and votes are redistributed to produce an overall winner

Question 11

advantages of SV

Answer 11

broad support for the winner
simple to use
allows independents to win sometimes

Question 12

disadvantages of SV

Answer 12

not proportional because a single member is being elected into office
winner does not need absolute majority
voters try to vote tactically

Question 13

what is a referendum

Answer 13

a popular vote held on a particular issue in order to gauge public opinion

Question 14

who controls the conduct of referendums

Answer 14

the electoral commision

Question 15

what powers do the electoral commission have over referendums

Answer 15

checks wording of the question

monitors campaign expenditure

Question 16

when is a referendum typically held

Answer 16

when there is pressure on the government to hold one
An agreement between two parties demands it
To solve government infighting
Legitimising government initiatives I.E. securing public support

Question 17

advantages of referendum

Answer 17

Low chance of a skewed result due to supervision from the electoral commission
Raises political awareness E.G. Scottish referendum 2014
Holds government to account and reduces their power
Involves the people directly on decision making on important issues

Question 18

disadvantages of referendums

Answer 18

Government can hold a referendum at time that suits them
Are a challenge to parliamentary sovereignty and ordinary people lack political knowledge to make these decisions
If arguments are not explained well public participation may be low and skew results
Low turnout is normal for referendums barring some exceptions
Outcome can be influenced by other factors not affecting the question E.G, 2011 AV ref was influenced by lib dem animosity

Question 19

should our electoral system be reformed

Answer 19

YES
Creates a two party system using FPTP
There is a large barrier to getting representation
There is not a good level of effective parliament parties compared to other systems:
FPTP - 2.0
AMS - 3.3
STV - 4.5
There is no proportionality. Deviation from proportionality is 20.6
Can lead to majority rule and the minority of people being ignored
NO
Mostly there is only one outcome - no coalitions
It is simple and traditional - if it’s not broke don’t fix it
Has the highest turnout of all systems - a mean of 65.4%

Question 20

why do we hold referendums

Answer 20

purest form of democracy
They increase political participation; voting does not take place just every five years.
Referenda can be a check on “elective dictatorships” during a government’s 5 years span.
Referenda provide a clear answer to a question the government might be ‘asking’.
unite divided parties
legitimise important decisions

Question 21

should referendums be more widely used

Answer 21

YES
It is one of the best forms of direct democracy and is one of the purest forms of democracy
Referendums are a chance to educate the public on certain political issues
reduces government power as they are held accountable to the people
Government has a mandate for everyday decisions and not big changes that affect the whole country
Creates a responsible government that has to listen to the people
NO
The general public are ill informed and have not got the political experience needed to make informed decisions
Referendums could be said to actually strengthen government as they can decide when they are held at a time that suits them best and they know they will win

Question 22

What are the implications of FPTP

Answer 22

Majority government

two party system

Question 23

what are the implications of AMS

Answer 23

minority government

multi party system

Question 24

what are the implications of STV

Answer 24

coalition government

multi party system

Question 25

what are the implications of SV

Answer 25

majority government

two party system