What Are The Functions Of Elections

Question 1

Government formation

Answer 1

Elections are used to choose a government be it at central, local or regional level. For example:

~ The 2015 election resulted in the formation of a conservative government to replace the coalition

~ The 2011 Scottish elections resulted in the formation of an SNP government

Question 2

Choice of programme

Answer 2

The public choose between different alternative programmes which are covered by the media and presented in the party’s manifesto.

For example, in the 2016 Scottish election, the SNP proposed a second independence referendum whereas Conservatives and Labour offered a unionist programme.

Question 3

Legitimacy

Answer 3

Elections give a government a mandate to govern, giving it the authority to act on the policies they promised.

The election also gives a doctor’s mandate to the government to act on the country’s behalf in the face of new problems.

Question 4

Representation

Answer 4

Gives constituents the opportunity to choose a representative to forward local interests in legislature. For example, Twickenham is currently represented by Dr Tania Mathias.

Elections also allow for representation of ideologies i.e. the Greens and environmentalism; UKIP and nationalism.

Question 5

Accountability

Answer 5

Elections act as a periodical judgement on the performance of a representative. For example, in 2010 the public held the Labour government to account and voted to replace it with the coalition.

Question 6

Participation

Answer 6

Citizens can participate in the political process by debating, campaigning, voting or even standing as candidates.

For example, in the 2015 General Election over 30 million UK citizens participated in some way.

Question 7

Education

Answer 7

Elections educate the public on the issues through campaigning and advertising.

For example, the 2010 General Election gave the Conservatives the opportunity to educate the public on Labour’s deficiencies in managing the economy.

Question 8

Promotion of democracy

Answer 8

+ Allow for participation

+ Choice of policy

+ Give democratic legitimacy and a mandate to those in power

+ Holds those in power to account

Question 9

What is a mandate?

Answer 9

~ If someone has a mandate, they have the authority to act in a certain way

~ In politics, the winning party has the mandate to implement the policies out lined in its previous manifesto

~ Governments argue that they enjoy the Doctrine of the Mandate, giving them the authority to take whatever measures they deem to be in the best interest of the country

Question 10

Difference between manifesto and mandate

Answer 10

~ Manifesto is a document released during a campaign, detailing more or less what a party would do if they were elected to power

~ Mandate is what gives the party the authority to execute its manifesto promises