Elections and Electoral Systems Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of elections in a representative democracy?

  • To provide legitimacy through representation and accountability (correct)
  • To serve as a direct decision-making process for citizens
  • To increase political party funding
  • To eliminate the need for political discourse

How do electoral systems affect the political landscape?

  • They solely determine the voting age
  • They influence party systems, government formation, and representativity (correct)
  • They have no significant impact on politics
  • They decide the economic policies of a country

Which type of voting is almost universally voluntary?

  • Mandatory voting
  • Open ballot voting
  • Compulsory voting
  • Voluntary voting (correct)

What is a characteristic of Single-Member Plurality (SMP) systems?

<p>Only one candidate is elected per district based on the most votes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which voting system is often referred to as 'First Past the Post' (FPTP)?

<p>Single-Member Plurality system (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of majoritarian electoral systems?

<p>Voters select candidates from multiple candidates for a single seat (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the consequences of semi or no alternation in representative elections?

<p>A few parties tend to remain in power for extended periods (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a factor that electoral regulations address?

<p>Voting mechanisms in online platforms (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant advantage of the FPTP voting system regarding votes and seats?

<p>It directly translates votes into seats. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the implications of Proportional Representation (PR) systems?

<p>They provide a platform for extremist parties. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the FPTP system have on political party strategies?

<p>Parties are incentivized to create broad policies for wide appeal. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the criticisms of coalition governments formed under different electoral systems?

<p>They can lead to instability and fragmented experiences. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Duverger's theory, what electoral system typically leads to a multi-party system?

<p>Proportional Representation Systems (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of a PR system mentioned in the content?

<p>It can complicate the electoral process for voters. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Under which condition does Lavau suggest that electoral systems are shaped?

<p>As a result of existing social and political conditions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is referred to as the 'winning bonus' in the FPTP system?

<p>The excess of votes translating disproportionately to additional seats. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a major criticism of majoritarian electoral systems regarding representation?

<p>They often result in a large number of wasted votes. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do majoritarian systems typically affect women's representation in legislatures?

<p>They tend to exclude women from being elected. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the average tenure of Prime Ministers in France before the introduction of the two-round system?

<p>6 months (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of the 'winner/seat bonus' in First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) systems?

<p>It can lead to a disproportionate allocation of seats. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which electoral system tends to bring more stability in government formation?

<p>Two Round System (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a pro of majoritarian systems?

<p>They provide clear-cut choices for voters. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the psychological effect of the electoral system on parties when using majoritarian voting?

<p>Fosters fewer competitors (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the mechanical effect of the electoral system?

<p>PR results in more parties than majoritarian systems (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the geographical spread of voters have on party representation in majoritarian systems?

<p>It excludes anti-systemic or extremist parties. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the structure of the ballot affect citizen-elected relations?

<p>It enhances linkage if candidate-centered (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can gerrymandering affect majoritarian electoral systems?

<p>It can lead to unfair manipulation of constituency boundaries. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable con regarding opposition strength in majoritarian systems?

<p>They often diminish the role of weaker coalition parties. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the turnout rate for Proportional Representation compared to Majoritarian voting?

<p>Proportional Representation 82.12%, Majoritarian 77.6% (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one way in which majoritarian systems promote representation?

<p>By providing direct links between constituents and their representatives. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of a candidate-centered electoral system for partisan discipline?

<p>It leads to less party discipline (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which form of government characterizes the semi-presidential system in France?

<p>Double popular legitimacy of the President and Parliament (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the government during a cohabitation scenario in a semi-presidential regime?

<p>The government holds more power than the President. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How are Senators elected in the bicameral legislative system described?

<p>Indirectly elected by an electoral college of local authority representatives. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the majoritarian electoral system outlined in the content?

<p>There is a high disproportionality in electoral outcomes. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the Dutch political system, which body has direct popular legitimacy?

<p>The Parliament. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term limit for members of the Senate in the described system?

<p>6 years with half renewed every 3 years. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What governs the relationship between the government and Parliament in the Netherlands?

<p>Parliament controls the executive function of the government. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What feature characterizes the executive power in the Dutch system?

<p>It includes a dual executive structure with a constitutional monarchy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique case noted in the Dutch coalition government structure?

<p>A minority government formed in the year 2010. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the German electoral system, what is the significance of the second vote?

<p>It is primarily used to vote for a political party. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the role of the Bundesrat in the German legislative process?

<p>It represents the federal states and has a lesser legislative role. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the consequences of the 5% electoral threshold in the German electoral system?

<p>Encourages the formation of multi-party alliances. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of India's government structure, what is the role of the Prime Minister?

<p>Chief executive responsible for implementing laws and policies. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the major distinction between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in India?

<p>Lok Sabha is directly elected, while Rajya Sabha is indirectly elected through state legislatures. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about bicameralism in Germany is true?

<p>The Bundesrat primarily represents the interests of the federal states. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines the federal structure of India's government?

<p>It maintains a strong separation of powers with cooperative federalism. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the German Parliament exert control over the executive branch?

<p>Parliament holds the government politically responsible. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Elections

The process by which citizens choose their representatives in government.

Electoral System

A set of rules that determine how votes are converted into seats in a legislature.

Majoritarian Systems

Electoral systems where the candidate with the most votes, even if not a majority, wins the seat.

Single Member Plurality (SMP)

A type of majoritarian system where one representative is elected per district. The candidate with the most votes wins.

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Proportional Representation (PR)

An electoral system where parties receive seats in proportion to the share of votes they receive.

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Franchise

The right to vote in elections.

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Compulsory Voting

A system where voting participation is required by law.

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Access Requirements to Ballots

The rules governing who can be a candidate in an election.

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First Past the Post (FPTP)

A system where the candidate with the most votes in a district wins the seat, even if they don't have a majority. Creates a strong connection between representatives and their geographic area.

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Winning/Seat Bonus

The unfair advantage given to the winning party in a First Past the Post system, where they gain more seats than the proportion of votes they received.

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Gerrymandering

The process of manipulating electoral boundaries to favor a specific party or group, often by concentrating or diluting the voting power of certain groups.

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Excluding Minorities

The concern that minority parties and smaller groups might not be represented fairly in the legislature under First Past the Post systems.

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Wasted Votes

Votes that are cast for a candidate who ultimately loses, considered wasted because they don't contribute to the winning outcome.

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Proportionality

The principle that the distribution of seats in a legislature should reflect the proportion of votes received by each party.

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Diversity

The idea that a diverse range of political views and social groups should be represented in a legislature.

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Insensitivity to Public Opinion

First Past the Post systems are less responsive to changes in public opinion compared to other systems, as they can maintain a majority even with declining support.

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Broad Appeal

A situation where political parties must appeal to a wide range of voters to gain widespread support, often leading to more moderate policies.

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Strong Opposition

A strong opposition in the legislature can offer a critical check on the government, ensuring accountability and preventing abuses of power.

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Single-Party Government

The ability of a single party to form a government without needing to rely on coalition partners, creating a stable government.

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Coalition Government

A group of parties that work together to form a government when no single party wins a majority of seats.

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Factional Splits

A situation where different factions within a party disagree on policies and leadership, potentially leading to instability.

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Two Round System

A system where an election is held in two rounds, with the top two candidates from the first round competing in the second round.

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Electoral System as a Minor Variable

The idea that the electoral system is a minor factor in determining the outcome of elections, compared to social and political conditions.

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Closed List System

An electoral system where voters choose candidates from pre-determined lists compiled by political parties.

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Electoral Threshold

A minimum percentage of votes required for a party to gain seats in parliament.

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Parliamentary Democracy

A type of government where the parliament has the most power, and the government (executive) is accountable to it.

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Bicameral Parliament

A legislative body with two chambers, often with different powers and constituencies.

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Mixed Member Proportional System

A system where voters cast two votes: one for a candidate and one for a party. The seats are then allocated proportionally based on the party vote.

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Bundestag

The lower house of the German parliament, elected through a mixed electoral system, representing individual constituencies and party votes.

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Bundesrat

The upper house of the German parliament, representing the 16 federal states (Länder). It has a role in constitutional revision and the legislative process.

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Lok Sabha

The Indian lower house of parliament, directly elected by the people. It has more power than the upper house (Rajya Sabha) and controls finances.

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Parliamentary System

A system where the government is accountable to the parliament, the parliament has more power, and the government is formed by a coalition of parties.

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Semi-presidential System

A system with both a president and a prime minister, where power is shared between the two, and the balance can shift depending on the situation.

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Cohabitation (in semi-presidential systems)

A situation where the president and the prime minister are from different political parties, leading to a potential for conflict or cooperation depending on the power dynamics.

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Parliamentary Features in a Semi-presidential System

A system where the political power is mainly concentrated in the legislative branch, often through a coalition government, and the executive branch is held accountable by the parliament.

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Bicameralism

A system with two legislative chambers, each with different roles and powers.

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Majoritarian System (Two-turn system)

A system where a candidate needs to win an absolute majority of votes to win an election, usually requiring a run-off election if no candidate wins a majority in the first round.

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Grand Coalition

A type of government where the ruling party or coalition is made up of the two largest political parties in a multi-party system.

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First-Past-the-Post (FPTP)

A system where voters choose between candidates, and the candidate with the most votes wins.

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Two Round Majoritarian System

A system where voters have two chances to vote. If no candidate gets a majority in the first round, a second round takes place with only the top two candidates.

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Stability in French Government after Switching to a Two-Round System

The change in the electoral system from PR to a two-round majoritarian system led to significant stability in the French government, as evidenced by the increase in the average tenure of Prime Ministers from 6 months to 2 years 9 months.

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Mechanical Effect of an Electoral System

The direct impact of electoral rules on the outcome of elections, including the degree of proportionality and the number of parties represented.

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Psychological Effect of an Electoral System

The influence of electoral rules on the behavior of parties, candidates, and voters, shaping their strategies and tactics.

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Effect of an Electoral System on Democracy and Representation

The effect of electoral systems on the quality of democracy and representation, including factors like government formation, stability, participation rates, and women's representation.

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Study Notes

Introduction

  • Elections are the core of representative democracy
  • Elections are a mechanism for citizens to express their views
  • Elections are necessary because not all people can participate directly in decision-making
  • Elections establish legitimacy by creating representation and accountability
  • Elections are used to form a government

Elections and Electoral Systems

  • Electoral systems impact party systems, government formation, intraparty dynamics, and the degree of representativity

  • Electoral regulations govern the extent of franchise (voting rights), the method of voting (compulsory or voluntary), ballot access requirements, and terms of office (mandates).

  • Presidential terms are typically fixed

  • Parliamentary terms are constitutionally determined with maximum periods

Electoral Systems

  • Electoral systems dictate how votes are translated into seats in a general election
  • Majoritarian systems: Voters choose between candidates for a single seat, with the majority winner prevailing
  • Proportional representation systems: Vote shares determine the number of seats a party receives; parties are awarded seats in proportion to their vote share.
  • Mixed systems: Combine elements of majoritarian and proportional representation.

Types of Electoral Systems

  • Plurality/Majority: First-past-the-post (FPTP), two-rounds system (TRS), block vote (BV), party block vote (PBV), alternative vote (AV).
  • Proportional: List PR, Single Transferable Vote (STV)
  • Mixed: Mixed Member Proportional (MMP), parallel systems

Gerrymandering

  • Gerrymandering is the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular group or party.
  • Methods of manipulating districts to benefit particular parties or groups are examined.

Electoral Systems Continued

  • First-round FPTP voting: If a candidate doesn't win an absolute majority in the first round, further rounds may occur with eliminated candidates.
  • Block Vote (BV): Voters can cast multiple votes for candidates in multi-member districts.
  • Alternative vote (AV): Voters rank their candidate preferences, and candidates with the lowest ranks are eliminated until a winner is determined.

Proportional Representation

  • Proportionality: X% votes = X% seats
  • Fair translation of votes into seats

List Proportional Representation (List PR)

  • Multi-member districts
  • Parties create candidate lists
  • Voters select a party
  • Seats allocated based on vote percentages (Open or closed list)
  • Thresholds are important

Single Transferable Vote (STV)

  • Multi-member districts
  • Preferential ballot: rank candidates
  • Necessary threshold for election

Mixed Systems

  • Mixed Member Proportional (MMP): Combines single-member districts with proportional representation through seat allocation in terms of representation.
  • Parallel systems: Combine single-member districts with PR, but there is no direct link

Majoritarian Systems

  • Simplicity and tendency to produce representatives of specific geographic areas
  • Clear-cut choices for the voter
  • Strong single-party governments
  • Opposition role in critical checking
  • Representation of various interests

Majoritarian Systems (cons)

  • Excludes parties and minorities
  • Can exclude women
  • Encourages political parties on the basis of clan, ethnic, or regional lines
  • Wasted votes that do not result in elected representation
  • Dependence on constituency drawing/gerrymandering
  • Disproportionate votes to seats

Evaluating Electoral Systems

  • Criteria such as simplicity, choice, stability, fairness, proportionality, diversity, participation, and policy clarity are applied to analyze the effects of various electoral systems on the quality of democracy.
  • Examples of issues like "Tactical Voting", "Coalition Governments", and "Representation of Minorities" are considered

Impact on Election Results

  • Electoral systems impact election outcomes, leading to differing outcomes based on specific laws and contexts
  • Electoral systems often cause a change in representation and impact stability of the government
  • Specific examples of how electoral systems cause these effects are provided

The Electoral System as a Determining Factor

  • Mechanical effect: Mathematical impact of electoral rules on proportionality and number of parties
  • Psychological effect: Changing the behavior of voters, candidates, and parties
  • Effects on quality of democracy and representation

Psychological Effect

  • Effect on parties and candidates: fewer competitors under majoritarian, more catch-all/ideological under proportional
  • Effect on voters: strategic vs. sincere vote; majoritarian = strategic under proportional = strategic when thresholds are present.
  • Voters and election campaigns are affected by electoral rules and candidates.
  • Political parties are affected by election campaigns and their discipline.

Examples: France, Netherlands, Germany, and India

  • Detailed descriptions of each country's electoral system, form of government, and legislative/executive power structures (bicameralism, executive power, and electoral system).
  • Specific scenarios are provided, such as describing how electoral systems affect minority representation, government types, or effects of coalition governments.

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