Elections and Parties
10 important questions on Elections and Parties
Explain plurality/First past the post (FPTP)
Electoral system where there is only one seat per constituency/single member district only. The winner - the one with the most votes - gets the seat. Not absolute majority (>50%)
Criticism is that a majority which means the other biggest is not represented -> wasted votes. Example the UK uses this system.
A= 35%, B=20%, C= 45%. C = the winner even though 55% did not vote for them.
What is a two round system?
Electoral system where first round if FPTP, but if there is no absolute majority, then there is a second round with only the two candidates who got the most votes. The winner wins by absolute majority (>50%).
Example: France uses this system.
Pro: simple; reduces number or parties; one party government; easier for votes to connect with MP's -> increased accountability. Facilitates strong opposition, harder for extremist parties, no fragmented government.
Criticism: wasted votes -> limited representation; decreases. Participation -> supporters small parties don't vote at all.
What are wasted votes?
Example: 2016 elections USA: even though in total Clinton had more votes, Trump won because he won more constituencies. A large part of the votes were not represented.
- Higher grades + faster learning
- Never study anything twice
- 100% sure, 100% understanding
For my 1st exam I got a C. Then, I started looking for ways to learn better and I came across Study Smart. Since then I have scored a A+, A, A- and another A. I highly recommend it to everyone who wants to hear it. I am so happy with it!!
I was struggling to finish all my first-year subjects for 3 years. Then I discovered Study Smart, which helped me to finish all of them within 3 months.
Because of StudySmart, things are going well in many ways. Before, I always had study stress and no time for anything. Now I feel calm and confident (because of the program). I used to score a B, now I usually score an A or A+.
Hey Chris, I really want to thank you very much for developing the platform, I usually got around C for my exams, now I scored an A+, an A and a A- !!
Since using Study Smart, my average has increased significantly. I even completed a statistics course with a A+ while I'm bad at statistics. I took on extra courses this year, because of Study Smart. Thanks so much!
Ever since I started studying with StudySmart I passed all my exams !!! No more re-sits!! At first, I was happy with a pass and now I only get good grades. Many thanks!
I aced all the courses I studied with Study Smart. For law, I first scored a D, and now an A! I’m 100% sure that I’ll pass all the courses I study with Study Smart.
I always thought I studied well. My grades were fine. I could never have imagined that applying these study skills would have such a huge and direct impact on my grades, my speed and the pleasure I have in learning.
For the first time, I finally feel totally confident about the way I learn. I have the perfect overview and make great progress in terms of speed and the grades I get. Thanks, Chris!
I immediately started to enjoy learning again, and my grades soared. All of a sudden, everything went better. I highly recommend Study Smart to all students..
Being able to create my materials online made the process of studying so much smoother and quicker. I no longer have to spend a huge amount of my time on creating my summaries.
At first, my notes were a mess. Now I use Study Smart to take my notes in a perfectly structured way. It helps me to save a lot of time and do other things I enjoy.
Students that study with Study Smart get better grades. The system applies all the learning methods in such a way that both well-performing students and students who struggle perform much better.
Hi Chris, I would like to thank you very much. Last year I scored C on a course, and this year I got an A+ thanks to your method! Thank you very much!
The largest effect is that my child is more enthusiastic about school! Every parent wants their children to be happy at school, Study Smart made it happen.
In high school, I failed several exams, and that has really changed now. I actually needed this tool very much back then. Since I started studying with StudySmart, I haven't had any D's. My average score is now an A and those are results I would have never had in the past
With my old method, I passed only 3 out of 8 courses. Since I started taking my notes digitally in Study Smart, I have passed all my courses on the first try. For me, StudySmart takes away the stress of wondering if I will pass or not.
Thanks to StudySmart, I passed all my exams, and with better grades than before! On top of that, I have mastered a very good study method now, which I am confident will help me earn my degree.
What are pro's and con's of majoritarian systems?
- Simplicity
- Reduces the number of parties because small parties are unlikely to win.
- Creates one party governments.
- Easier for electorate to connect with representatives
- Increases accountability
- Facilitates strong opposition and broadly based parties.
- Disadvantages for extremist parties.
Con's:
- Votes cast for non-winning candidates are wasted.
- Decreases participation: supporters of small parties may not vote
- In plurality, a candidate may win with <50% of the votes
- Can exclude minorities.
Explain the party list of Proportional Representation (PR)
- There are party lists
- Each district has multiple seats (=multi-member district) (in NL just one district)
- Each party presents a list of candidates and votes pick parties, not individual candidates.
Open list PR: parties create their lists, but voters can still vote for preferred candidate.
Pro's and con's of proportional systems
- decreases the number of wasted votes
- insures better adequate representation
- favors minorities
Con's:
- high number or parties, small parties may have disproportional influence.
- coalition governments are less able to implement coherent policies,
- gives more power to political parties and leaders who decide who gets on the party list.
What is a political party? And name the four characteristics.
- parties aim to exercise government power by winning office
- " are organized bodies with a formed membership.
- " typically adopt a broad issue focus
- " are united by shared political preferences and a general ideological identity
What are the different party systems? (one, two, multi)
- Dominant party systems
- several parties exist but one party always wins the elections (mexico and japan)
- two party systems
- several parties exist but only two parties can have absolute majorities (uk and usa)
- multiparty systems
- several parties exist and have chances to win elections and form the government either alone or in a coalition (italy and nl)
What is Duverger's law?
example: in the UK there is a two party system because the FPTP system makes it almost impossible for small parties to win elections.
What are the reasons for disillusionment with parties? (= a feeling of disappointment)
- Parties are corrupt, pursue own interests/those own wealthy supporters.
- Parties don't stand for anything
- No real differences between parties
- Create social division (Brexit)
- Talk about petty/meaningless political issues/no big picture
- Only active during election time
- Bad at governing/don't deliver
The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:
- A unique study and practice tool
- Never study anything twice again
- Get the grades you hope for
- 100% sure, 100% understanding
