Elections

Question 1

What is an election?

Answer 1

A process where people are given the opportunity to choose representatives who will form representative institutions and government.

Question 2

What is a electoral manifesto?

Answer 2

A statement produced by a political party at election times, stating what policies it intends to implement if it gains power

Question 3

What is a electoral mandate?

Answer 3

Refers to the authority to govern granted to the winning party at an election by the voters. The mandate suggests what the government may implement from its manifesto and that the govt has the authority to use its judgement in dealing with hnforeseen circumstances (doctors mandate)

Question 4

What is a by-election?

Answer 4

Where a member of a devolved assembly or local councillor dies or resigns and their post must be filled again.

Question 5

What is an electoral system?

Answer 5

A system that converts votes in an election to seats

Question 6

What are the features of FPTP?

Answer 6

Each constituency returns one MP
Each party may nominate only one candidate in each constiruemcy
Voters have one vote each, choose preferred candidate
Candidate with largest number of votes is elected (simple majority or plurality)

Question 7

What is majoritarian representation?

Answer 7

A political system that produces a govt that enjoys majority within the representative institutions and therefore is able to dominate party politics

Question 8

What are the key functions of elections?

Answer 8

Uphold legitimacy
To choose representatives 
To choose govt & PM
The electorate gives permission to the governing party to carry out the policies in their manifesto 
An example of political participation.

Question 9

What are the four types of different systems?

Answer 9

Simple majority
Majoritarian
Proportional
Hybrid

Question 10

What is simple majority system?

Answer 10

Not necessary to get over 50% of the vote e.g. FPTP

Question 11

What is majoritarian system?

Answer 11

The winning candidate needs over 50% of the vote e.g. AV and SV

Question 12

What is a proportional system?

Answer 12

Votes equate to seat e.g. List system and STV

Question 13

What is a hybrid system!

Answer 13

Combines an aspect of both majoritarian and proportional e.g. AMS and AV

Question 14

What is SV and how is it used?

Answer 14

Voters in each constituency have two votes: a first preference vote and a second ‘supplementary’ vote.
Voters’ first preferences are counted and if one candidate gets over 50% of the vote he/she is elected.
If, however, no candidate manages to win 50% of the vote the two highest scoring candidates are retained – the rest are eliminated.
The second preferences are then examined and any votes received by the two remaining candidates are redistributed. Whoever now has over 50% of the vote, wins.

ELECTED LONDON MAYOR

Question 15

What is the Alternate Vote election system?

Answer 15

The country is divided usually into single member constituencies.
Voters would rank their candidates in order of preference (1 being their favourite etc)
If a candidate receives an absolute majority of votes (50% + 1) he/she would be elected.
However if no single candidate gets more than 50%, the candidate with the lowest number of first preferences is “eliminated” from the count, and their ballot examined for their second preferences.
These are then assigned to the remaining candidates in the order as marked on the ballot.
This process is repeated until one candidate has an absolute majority, and is declared duly elected.

Question 16

When is AV election system used?

Answer 16

For electing the Scottish Parliament, Irish, Welsh and London Assembly

Question 17

Where is STV used?

Answer 17

Northern Ireland

Question 18

How does the STV system work?

Answer 18

Seats are allocated on a quota : total number of votes / total number if seats + 1
Electors vote preferentially by ranking candidates in order (1,2,3,4 and so on).
Votes are counted, first according to first preferences.
The surplus votes of those already elected are redistributed to other candidates until all seats are filled.

Question 19

What are some advantages of FPTP?

Answer 19

Creates strong, single party governments
Links between MO and constituents
Easy to understand
Provides a mandate
Govt. is more accountable

Question 20

What are some disadvantages of FPTP?

Answer 20

Wasted votes
Minority’s choice
Regional imbalance
Lack of representation in constituencies

Question 21

How could there be electoral reform?

Answer 21

Constiuency borders have been redrawn
The proposed idea for the Alternate Vote system (referenda outcome no)
Two votes per voter

Question 22

What is a one party system?

Answer 22

When one party has the right to form the government based on existing constitution

Question 23

What are some advantages of single party governments?

Answer 23

Pin points responsibilty
Strong, stable and lasting govt.
Quick and clear results

Question 24

Why cant governments always claim they have a mandate?

Answer 24

Electorate don’t always support every manifesto pledge
Manifestos are deliberately vague
Events change manifesto pledges e.g. 9/11 or the Credit Crunch
Lack of clear majority - Labour enjoyed 32.5% of the popular vote in 2005

Question 25

What are the strengths of coalitions?

Answer 25

Help to form a strong and stable government
Fewer lurches to the left or right
Coalitions must work together as combined parties e.g. Cons&Lib Dems in 2010 to resolve UK deficit crisis

Question 26

What are the problems with coalitions?

Answer 26

Can be difficult and slow to form, UK coalition in 2010 took five days to form
Instable

Question 27

When are coalitions necessary?

Answer 27

When no single party wins overall majority in the legislature and can therefore not govern on their own