Elections Exam Questions

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  • Created by: Elena.S
  • Created on: 29-05-17 13:15

Define elections (5)

  • primarily a way of choosing representatives
  • convert raw votes into elected seats
  • citizens show preference between candidates
  • i.e UK + EU Parliament + local gov. + devolved assemblies + indiv. (London Mayor)
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Functions of elections (5)

  • electing representatives (general election determine constituency representation in Parliament)
  • electing gov. + PM
  • grants popular mandate to representatives + gov.
  • provides popular consent for winning party to govern
  • opportunity for citizens to deliver verdict on performance of outgoing gov.
  • choice between different political philosophies + programmes
  • educative function in informing about political issues
  • opportunity to participate in politics therefore strengthening democracy
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Differences between elections + referendums (5)

  • elections: held at specific + semi-formal intervals; referendums: held at any time when felt to be desirable
  • elections: elect representatives + leaders; referendums: single question over specific issue
  • elections: binding; referendums: advisory (UK)
  • elections: result is complex; referendum is simple yes/no
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Define FPTP (5)

  • simple plurality
  • voters choose between different candidates for constituencies + can only vote for one
  • voters cannot show any preference in same party + must accept chosen candidate from each person
  • candidate who receives most votes is elected
  • not necessary to achieve absolute majority (50%)
  • party that receives either absolute majority or more seats than other parties expected to form gov.
  • i.e UK, USA, Canada
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Define regional list system (RLS) (5)

  • country divided into several regions
  • parties invited to submit list of candidates
  • voters choose between list of parties (one vote)
  • seats awarded to each party in general proposition to votes cast for party
  • closed list system: candidates elected in order chosen by party leaders
  • open list system: voters choose own preference
  • most proportional
  • i.e UK elections for European Parliament
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Define single transferable vote (STV) (5)

  • constituencies have more than one member
  • each party puts up candidates to number of seats available (voters can vote for all or any in own preference using as many votes as they want)
  • voters place candidates from same party in any order + candidates from other parties
  • quota using Droop Formula based on first preference, once quota is reached, votes for that candidates redistributed to second preferences, if seats left unfilled, candidate with least votes removed and their votes redistributed to next preferences until total quota is filled
  • i.e Northern Ireland, Eire
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Define additional member system (AMS) (5)

  • hybrid of FPTP + PR
  • proportion of seats operate on FPTP; rest on basis on RLS
  • i.e Scotland + Wales - 2/3 for FPTP + 1/3 for RLS
  • RLS not awarded proportionally (differential top-up); parties doing less well in constituency elections awarded more than proportional share in RLS to counteract distortion from FPTP
  • i.e Scotland, Wales
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Define supplementary vote (SV) (5)

  • used to elect single person i.e president or mayor
  • first round: voters show single preference for one candidate + if absolute majority, they are elected
  • if no absolute majority, second round
  • second round: top two candidates fight each other + one must win overal majority
  • i.e London Mayor (variation: two preferences given at start so no second ballot)
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Define manifesto and mandate (5)

  • mandate: authority to govern granted by voters
  • in UK, party that wins election has been granted mandate to govern by people
  • parties produce manifestoes + is accepted that governing party has mandate to implement aspects of manifesto
  • Parliament as guardian of manifesto
  • Lords may challenge measures that don't conform to mandate
  • implantation of "doctor's mandate": winning party has authority to do what it considers necessary to further national interest even if not included in manifesto
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Define alternative vote (5)

  • voters asked to rank candidates in order of preference
  • candidates with 50% of votes from all preferences wins
  • i.e Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea
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Consequences of FPTP (10)

  • most MPs elected on >50% of votes in constituency (more people voted against > for)
  • gov. achieves absolute majority of seats without absolute majority of votes; no post-war gov. won overall majority in general election
  • single party gov. bc it could command absolute majority in Commons + pass most of legislation
  • gov. can be strong + decisive ∴ doesn't suffer normal weaknesses of coalitions
  • gov. has clear electoral mandate + can be judged on basis of how it delivered mandate
  • create adversarial politics; excludes smellier parties; creates elective dictatorship with over-powerful exec.
  • distorts representation in HoC; parties with concentrated support (Labour) win disproportionately high number of seats whereas parties with spread out support (Lib Dems) are discriminated against
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How elections promote democracy (10)

  • crucial that gov. carried on with consent of people + elections ensure gov. by consent ∴ reinforce general consent to democratic system
  • vital to democracy that gov. is accountable to people; regular elections enable people to call gov. to account + remove if necessary + without election gov. would be able to act beyond its authority + abuse mandate
  • key opportunity for citizens to participate in democratic process, underpinning consent + ensuring popular obedience to elected gov.
  • means by which people can freely choose between different political programmes + be directly involved in political process
  • provides means by which suitable candidates chosen to hold office + be elected representatives in elected assemblies
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Impact of PR in UK (10)

  • examples: NI (STV), Scotland + Wales + London Assembly (AMS), London (SV), European Parliament (RLS)
  • NI: multiple party outcome with five of larger parties achieving significant representation in assembly ∴ awarded places in power sharing gov. + independent candidates elected
  • Scotland + Wales: smaller parties do well i.e Greens + Scottish Socialists; coalition or minority gov. bc AMS doesn't deliver absolute majorities for larger party; beneficial to nationalist parties i.e SNP governing as minority gov. since 2007 but with most seats in Scottish Parliament
  • EP: proportional results with smaller parties winning seats i.e Greens, UKIP, BNP
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