Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
29 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
Define election |
An election is a device where popular votes are converted into seats awarded to representatives or parties, or used to elect single office holders/political leaders |
|
|
Define mandate |
A mandate is the authority granted to a candidates/party to implement its manifesto commitments. Normally granted via election |
|
|
What are the main functions of elections? |
- Votes are converted into representation - Elections of a single person (e.g. a mayor) grant democratic legitimacy to a single office holder - Other elections return representatives to representative assemblies - Elections can grant a mandate to a government - the electorate can call existing governments/reps to account - the electorate chooses between different political programmes and leaders. - citizens can participate actively in the political process, ensuring their consent. - the electorate can be informed and educated about political issues |
|
|
How do elections enhance democracy? |
- Means of granting legitimacy- clear mandate given to governments- means of calling govt and reps to account- offers democratic choices to the people- they provide opporunities for participation in politics- they educate and inform the people on political issues |
|
|
How do elections potentially harm democracy? |
- They limit choice because parties produce specific manifestos, but people are interested in individual issues - Elections might not be fair or proportional - elections can exclude small parties - the mandate granted to governments might give them excessive power - elections might help those with most financial resources |
|
|
compare elections with referendums |
Elections: wide range of issues, elect representatives, held at regular intervals, complex range of answers, concern political parties. Referendums: single issue, do not elect anyone, may be held at any time, one simple yes/no answer, cut across party differences |
|
|
How does FPTP operate? |
- the country is divided into 650 roughly equal constituencies - each constituency elects 1 MP - voters choose from a list of candidates, most nominated by a political party - most votes = elected - no need to win more than half of the votes cast (only need plurality vs absolute majority). |
|
|
Main characteristics of FPTP |
- The disribution of seats isn't equal to overall support for the parties - The system favours those that have concentrated support - Small parties usually can't win any seats. This means that extremists can't get in, but neither can minority parties. - many 'safe' seats are created - voters in safe seats have less influence. votes are of unequal value. - votes for small parties are effectively wasted - since it favours large parties, a clear winner is usually produced. |
|
|
What is strong government |
This refers to a government that can rely upon a strong majority of support in Parliament and so is able to carry through its own legislation and proposals. |
|
|
What is stable government |
This refers to a government that is likely to remain in office without serious crises. Will probably not become divided or fall from power before its term of office is complete. |
|
|
Where is the Additional Member System used in the UK? |
Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly, Greater London Assembly |
|
|
Where is the Single Transferable Vote used in the UK? |
Northern Ireland Assembly, Northern Ireland local government, Scottish local government |
|
|
Where is the Regional List used in the UK? |
European Parliament elections |
|
|
Where is supplementary vote used in the UK? |
Elected Mayor elections |
|
|
Define proportional representation |
PR is any electoral system that distributes seats in the legislature in proportion to the popular vote cast for each party |
|
|
How does the Additional Member System work? |
- a proportion (usually 2/3) of seats are elected by FPTP - the rest are elected through a regional list system - voters choose between parties not candidates - seats in the list section are awarded according to the proportion of votes for each party, adjusted to the extent to which parties are discriminated against under FPTP |
|
|
How does the Single transferable vote work? |
- Each constituency returns several members. Usually 6. - An electoral quota is calculated - Voters can vote for as many/as few candidates as they wish. - Candidates who reach the quota on 1st choices are automatically elected - 2nd and subsequent preferences of votes for candidates already elected are then added to the rest of the candidates. This continues until 6 candidates reach the quota. |
|
|
How does the Regional List system work? |
- Each party presents a list of candidates in its chosen order of preference - Voters have one vote which they cast for a party list, not an individual candidate - seats are awarded to each party broadly in proportion to the votes cast for that party. |
|
|
How does the supplementary vote work? |
- used to elect a single individual - each voter chooses a first and second preference - if one candidate secures over 50% of 1st preferences, he/she is elected - if not, all but the top 2 are eliminated - second preferences cast for the top 2 are added, and the winner is the one with more votes |
|
|
Define majoritarian representation |
Any system which guarantees that a government or single individual is elected by an overall majority of voters. This applies to SV and AV. |
|
|
What is a party system? |
This is a characteristic of a political system which describes how many parties win significant representation. Systems can be dominant party, two party, three party or multi-party. |
|
|
Some features and impacts of AMS |
- Features: 2 choices, helps small parties, very proportional, retains the constituency system. - Impacts: In Scotland it made a 4 party system (2 party coalitions until 2011 SNP majority), Wales has a 4 party system (2 party coalitions), GLA has 6 parties w/ seat. |
|
|
Some features and impacts of STV |
- Features: voters have a very wide choice, very proportional, voters can discriminate between candidates from the same party, retains constituencies and ensures that most people will have a rep from their favourite party. - Impacts: Northern Ireland Assembly (five different parties gain significant numbers of seats), power sharing govt, local govt has multi party representation |
|
|
Some features and impacts of the Regional List system |
- Features: voters choose parties not candidates, each vote is of equal value, highly proportional outcome. - Impacts: Six different parties gained seats in the European Parliament election |
|
|
Some features and impacts of supplementary vote |
- Features: each voter has two choices, winner is guaranteed an overall majority. - Impacts: successful way of electing single individuals with a clear mandate |
|
|
Arguments for retaining FPTP |
- existed for a long time, widely accepted - easy to understand - strong MP-constituency link - tends to produce single party, decisive government with a clear HOC majority |
|
|
Arguments for abandoning FPTP |
- unfair system which awards seats disproportionately - large number of wasted votes (in safe seats/for smaller parties) - votes not of equal value. those in marginal seats = very influential, those in safe seats = not - discriminates significantly against small parties - 2010 election result, clear winner not guaranteed - clear majority = too much power to a party w/o majority of the votes - MPs often elected on under 50% of the vote, govt always elected on minority - turnouts are low = lack of support? - out of step with the rest of europe |
|
|
Arguments for introducing PR |
- Fairer, votes are more equal, less wasted votes... higher turnout? - proportional parliament... restored confidence in the political system? - helps small parties. these probably represent minorities - preventing a single party from overall control = reduces possibility of elective dictatorship - multi party system = more consensus politics - UK brought into line with the rest of Europe |
|
|
Arguments against PR |
- No vote on AV, little appetite for change? - other systems more difficult for the electorate to understand/accept? - too many opportunities for small extremist parties to gain a foothold in politics - no party with majority = less decisive/weak/inefficient govt - weakened/destroyed MP-constituency link |
