Elections And Referendums Flashcards
(19 cards)
What is the benefit of elections?
Legitimacy
Held to account
Educates public
Liberal democracy
Meaningful difference- competition
1 person 1 vote
What are the drawbacks of elections?
Restricted choice
Disproportionate vote/ results
Where are democratic theories?
Role of people in political process
Government act in accordance of wishes of people
How often are elections held?
General elections- 5 yrs
By-elections- if MP resigns or dies
Devolved- 5 yrs
Local elections- 4 yrs
Euro Parliament elections- 5 yrs
What are the different types of voting systems?
Majoritarian
Plurality
PR
Mixed
AMS
STV
SV
How does the Majoritarian system work?
50%+1
How does the plurality system work?
Most votes
How does the mixed system work?
FPTP+PR
How does the AMS system work?
2 votes
How does the STV system work?
Ranked
How does the PR system work?
Number votes= number MPs
How does the SV system work?
More than 1 vote
What is the winners bonus?
1st place wins excess votes
Exaggerates support
What are the constituency boundaries?
650 MPs
80,000 people per consistency
What is a safe seat?
Same party wins every time
What is a marginal seat?
Anyone could win
What are the drawbacks of FPTP?
Against small parties
Wasted votes
Disproportionate
35% vote = winner
Electoral ‘deserts’
Plurality
Limited choice
What are the benefits of FPTP?
Easy to operate
Vote once
Fast
Simple and effective
Clear winner
Stabilise government- single party governement
What is EVEL?
English Votes for English Laws
Direct democracy- vote on single issues
Referendums- single vote on issue
