Representation Flashcards
What is political representation?
Political representation is the activity of making citizens’ voices, opinions, and perspectives present in the public policy making processes.
True or False: The UK has a system of proportional representation.
False
What is the primary electoral system used for general elections in the UK?
First Past the Post
Fill in the blank: The UK Parliament consists of the House of ______ and the House of ______.
Commons, Lords
Which body is responsible for representing the interests of the public in the UK?
Parliament
What is the role of Members of Parliament (MPs)?
MPs represent the interests of their constituents in the House of Commons.
What type of election uses the Alternative Vote system in the UK?
Some local elections and the Australian House of Representatives.
True or False: The House of Lords is elected by the public.
False
What is a constituency?
A constituency is a geographical area represented by an elected MP.
What are the two main types of political representation?
Descriptive representation and substantive representation.
What is descriptive representation?
Descriptive representation refers to the idea that elected representatives should reflect the demographics of the population.
What is substantive representation?
Substantive representation refers to the idea that representatives advocate for the interests and policies that benefit their constituents.
What is the role of political parties in representation?
Political parties aggregate interests and provide a platform for candidates to represent those interests in elections.
Fill in the blank: The ______ system often leads to a ‘winner takes all’ outcome.
First Past the Post
What is the main criticism of the First Past the Post electoral system?
It can lead to a lack of proportionality in representation.
Which electoral system is used for the London Assembly elections?
Additional Member System
True or False: Voter turnout is generally higher in general elections than in local elections.
True
What is the significance of the Representation of the People Act?
It expanded voting rights in the UK over time, including extending the vote to women and young people.
What is a by-election?
A by-election is an election held to fill a vacancy that arises in a constituency between general elections.
What does the term ‘swing voter’ refer to?
A swing voter is an individual who does not consistently vote for one political party and may change their allegiance in different elections.
