Electoral systems

Question 1

3 types of electoral system

Answer 1

proportional
plurality
majoritarian

Question 2

example of a majoritarian electoral system

Answer 2

supplementary vote (SV)

Question 3

example of a plurality electoral system

Answer 3

FPTP

Question 4

example of a proportional electoral system

Answer 4

additional member system
single transferable vote

Question 5

example of when SV is used

Answer 5

mayoral election
police and crime commisoner

Question 6

example of when AMS is used

Answer 6

welsh, scottish, NI and london assembly

Question 7

example of when FPTP is used

Answer 7

general and regional elections
westminster elections ^^^

Question 8

what is FPTP

Answer 8

plurality system
candidate w simply most votes wins

Question 9

features of FPTP

Answer 9

voting is simple
1 person 1 vote
small single member constituencies
concentrated support

Question 10

advantages of FPTP

Answer 10

simple
traditional
suitable for 2 party systems (UK)
MP is bonded to constituency
produces a clear winner

Question 11

disadvantages of FPTP

Answer 11

safe seats
restricts representation
personality VS policy
excludes minority parties

Question 12

what is the purpose of elections

Answer 12

limiting power of elected representatives
holding MPS to account
representation
legitimising political power

Question 13

how many votes does a voter get in AMS

Answer 13

2

Question 14

what is the first vote in AMS

Answer 14

constituency vote for a specific candidate (personality)

Question 15

what is the second vote in AMS

Answer 15

regional vote for party (ideology)

Question 16

what system is the first vote in AMS

Answer 16

FPTP

Question 17

what type of electoral system is AMS

Answer 17

hybrid
combines FPTP w/ proportional

Question 18

closed party list

Answer 18

when voters vote for a list of candidate provided by a party

they have no influence on the party-supplied order in which party candidates are elected.

Question 19

how many MPs represent each person in Scotland

Answer 19

8 MPs
- 1 constituency MP and 7 regional

Question 20

how many seats available in scotland

Answer 20

129

Question 21

advantages of AMS

Answer 21

benefits minority parties
suited for multiparty system
broadly proportional to votes

a majority can be achieved if there is sufficient support

Question 22

when did Scotland recieve a majority parliament

Answer 22

2011

Question 23

disadvantages of AMS

Answer 23

complex for general public
can lead to unstable/weak GOVT
difficult to hold GOVt to account

Question 24

what is STV

Answer 24

proportional system

voters rank candidates in preference

Question 25

ordinal voting

Answer 25

voter ranks candidates in order of preference and can rank as many as they desire

Question 26

features of STV

Answer 26

voters can vote for individual candidates w/o worrying about wasted votes puts power in hands of public

Question 27

effects of using STV

Answer 27

votes are more valuable less incentive to tactically vote fewer safe seats due to multiparty nature of system closer correlation between % of votes and % of seats

Question 28

advantages of STV

Answer 28

wider representation parties must work together voters are more valuable

Question 29

disadvantages of STV

Answer 29

coalitions are more likely - unstable weak GOVT

Question 30

what is the droop quota

Answer 30

( total number of valid votes / number of seats available in region +1 ) + 1

Question 31

how must a candidate win when using STV

Answer 31

DROOP QUOTA MUST BE MET

Question 32

how does SV work

Answer 32

voters can express two preferences ( but cannot be the same candidate ) winner must get outright majority

Question 33

advantages of SV

Answer 33

simple both of voters choices are relevant

Question 34

disadvantages of SV

Answer 34

voters don't understand system (wasted votes by voting for the same candidate twice) not suitable for minority parties winner may not enjoy first choice support

Question 35

why are different electoral systems now used in the UK?

Answer 35

1997 New Labour wanted new systems (manifesto promise) wanted to avoid another long conservative GOVT

Question 36

what political system was used before 1997

Answer 36

only FPTP before 1997