Elections Flashcards
(20 cards)
Purposes of elections
- representing populations beliefs
- legitimising the government
- encouraging participation
Large Multi Member Constituencies
geographically large area with multiple seats for candidates (EUP Elections)
Small Single-Member Constituencies
geographically varies, only one seat for candidates to take (FPTP)
What type of system is simple plurality?
FPTP
What type of system is majoritarian?
SV & AV
What type of system is closed party list?
PR
What type of system is a hybrid?
AMS
What are systems evaluated on?
stability, constituency, accountability, proportionality
Pros of Closed Party list
Very representative
Simple
Can enforce positive discrimination
Pros of STV
Greater choice over candidates
Eliminates safe seats
Pros of FPTP
Provides strong, single party govt
Strong constituency link
Simple
AV referendum did not pass, no mandate for change
Pros of Supplementary Vote
Winning candidate has broad support
Less wasted votes
Pros of AMS
Broadly representative
2 Votes to avoid tactically voting
Retains MP/constituency link
Produces strong govt
Cons of Closed party list
Control over candidates
Voters cannot avoid candidates they do not like
Cons of STV
More difficult for voters
Takes more time to work out
Cons of FPTP
Govts usually elected with <50% of vote e.g 2019 56% seats but only 43% vote
Leads to periods of Elective Dictatorship
Wasted and unequal votes (UKIP+Greens seats vs SNP)
Cons of supplementary vote
Winner may not have outright majority
Only works for electing single body
Cons of AMS
Results in coalitions
Less choice
Not fully proportional
2019 Case Study - Conservatives
- 80 seat majority
- partisan dealignment, geographic voting, age based voting were the primary factors
- recency factors: Brexit, immigration, healthcare, party leader image
1997 Case Study - Labour
- 197 seat majority
- recency factors: policies, leaders, valence issues
- Labour embraced centrism, changing wording in Clause IV
