APComp: Unit 4, Party, Electoral Systems, Citizen Organizations - Electoral Systems and Their Political Effects, Plurality vs Proportionality, Thresholds, Gerrymandering

Electoral Systems and Their Political Effects

Electoral systems determine how people choose their leaders and representatives. This matters because it affects how power is distributed and who gets to make decisions. In the UK, for example, the first-past-the-post system has led to a two-party dominance, with the Conservative and Labour parties often winning the majority of seats.

Key Terms & Concepts

• Plurality: A system where the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they don't have a majority. Example: In the US, the presidential election uses a plurality system, where the candidate with the most electoral votes wins the presidency.
• Proportionality: A system where seats are allocated based on the percentage of votes received by each party. Example: In Germany, the Bundestag uses a mixed-member proportional system, where voters elect both local representatives and party lists.
• Threshold: A minimum percentage of votes required for a party to win seats. Example: In Mexico, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) has a threshold of 2% to win seats in the Chamber of Deputies.
• Gerrymandering: The practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one party or group. Example: In the US, the Republican Party has been accused of gerrymandering in states like North Carolina and Wisconsin.
• Single-member district: An electoral district where only one representative is elected. Example: In the UK, most parliamentary constituencies are single-member districts.
• Multi-member district: An electoral district where multiple representatives are elected. Example: In Russia, some electoral districts elect multiple members of the State Duma.
• Closed-list: A system where voters choose a party, and the party selects the representatives. Example: In Iran, the Guardian Council selects the representatives based on a closed-list system.
• Open-list: A system where voters choose both a party and a representative. Example: In China, some electoral districts use an open-list system for village committee elections.
• Electoral college: A system where voters elect representatives who then choose the president. Example: In the US, the Electoral College system is used to elect the president.
• First-past-the-post: A system where the candidate with the most votes wins the seat. Example: In the UK, the first-past-the-post system is used to elect members of parliament.
• Mixed-member proportional: A system that combines single-member districts with proportional representation. Example: In Germany, the Bundestag uses a mixed-member proportional system.
• Party-list: A system where voters choose a party, and the party selects the representatives based on a list. Example: In Russia, the party-list system is used to elect members of the State Duma.

How This Works in Practice

• In the UK, a vote of no confidence can force a prime minister to resign, but the opposition must win a majority of votes in the House of Commons.
• In Mexico, the president is elected through a plurality system, but the president must also win a majority of votes in the Chamber of Deputies.
• In Russia, the State Duma uses a mixed-member proportional system, but the president has significant powers to appoint officials and pass laws.
• In Iran, the Guardian Council selects the representatives based on a closed-list system, but the president is elected through a direct vote.
• In China, some electoral districts use an open-list system for village committee elections, but the Communist Party has significant control over the electoral process.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Plurality and proportionality are the same thing.
• Correction: Plurality is a system where the candidate with the most votes wins, while proportionality is a system where seats are allocated based on the percentage of votes received by each party. Example: In the US, the presidential election uses a plurality system, while Germany's Bundestag uses a mixed-member proportional system.
• Misunderstanding: Gerrymandering is only practiced in the US.
• Correction: Gerrymandering is practiced in many countries, including the US, UK, and Australia. Example: In the US, the Republican Party has been accused of gerrymandering in states like North Carolina and Wisconsin.
• Misunderstanding: Electoral thresholds are only used in proportional representation systems.
• Correction: Electoral thresholds can be used in any electoral system, including plurality and mixed-member proportional systems. Example: In Mexico, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) has a threshold of 2% to win seats in the Chamber of Deputies.

Quick Comparison Table

Last-Minute Exam Cram

• A "state" is not the same as a "government" – the state is the permanent institution, the government is temporary.
• The UK uses a first-past-the-post system to elect members of parliament.
• Germany's Bundestag uses a mixed-member proportional system.
• Russia's State Duma uses a mixed-member proportional system.
• Iran's Guardian Council selects representatives based on a closed-list system.
• China uses an open-list system for village committee elections.
• Gerrymandering is the practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one party or group.
• Electoral thresholds can be used in any electoral system.
• Proportionality is a system where seats are allocated based on the percentage of votes received by each party.
• Plurality is a system where the candidate with the most votes wins.
• The US uses an electoral college system to elect the president.
• Mexico's president is elected through a plurality system.
• The UK's prime minister can be forced to resign through a vote of no confidence.