Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is one potential benefit of the Alternative Member System (AMS) regarding representation?
What is one potential benefit of the Alternative Member System (AMS) regarding representation?
How does the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system impact representation in Parliament?
How does the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system impact representation in Parliament?
What is a limitation of the AMS regarding the voting process?
What is a limitation of the AMS regarding the voting process?
In the 2019 UK general election, who was elected as the MP for Central Ayrshire?
In the 2019 UK general election, who was elected as the MP for Central Ayrshire?
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What disadvantage do smaller parties face under the FPTP system?
What disadvantage do smaller parties face under the FPTP system?
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How many MSPs do citizens have under the AMS?
How many MSPs do citizens have under the AMS?
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What was the outcome for the Green Party under the AMS in the 2021 elections?
What was the outcome for the Green Party under the AMS in the 2021 elections?
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What percentage of MPs are women under the FPTP system?
What percentage of MPs are women under the FPTP system?
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Study Notes
First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) vs. Additional Member System (AMS)
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FPTP Strengths:
- Simple and easy to understand voting process
- Quick and straightforward results calculation
- Candidate names appear on ballot papers
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FPTP Weaknesses:
- Disproportionate representation, potentially underrepresenting women and BAME communities
- Challenges for smaller parties: difficulty in gaining seats and representation
- Examples: Only 34% of MPs are women, 52 BAME MPs, 45 LGBT MPs
- Example: Dr Phillippa Whiteford elected MP 2019
Additional Member System (AMS) Strengths
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AMS Strengths:
- Greater representation of women and BAME communities
- Enables proportional representation, potentially better for smaller parties
- Potential for increased representation of various groups.
- Example: 2021, 8 Green MSPs elected in Scottish Parliament
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AMS Weaknesses:
- Potentially complex or confusing voting system: voters might need multiple votes, complex seat allocation formula, leading to confusion over how the seats are allocated
- Voters potentially need more knowledge or understanding about the voting system in order to understand how to vote
- Example: 8 MSPs elected per individual
Summary Comparison
- FPTP: Simpler system, but may lead to underrepresentation of certain groups and limit smaller party representation
- AMS: More proportional, better representation for diverse groups and smaller parties but can be more complex and potentially confusing for voters.
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Description
This quiz explores the strengths and weaknesses of the First-Past-the-Post and Additional Member System electoral systems. Discover how these systems impact representation for women, BAME communities, and smaller parties, as well as the voting processes involved.
