Elections

Elections

1. Function

   • Method of assessing preferences through votes
   • Significance to Democracy
     • Structural
       • Popular Sovereignty
         • Citizens must vote out individuals if unpopular or corrupt for accountability
       • Organizing Majority Rule
         • Every vote must  be equal and decision of majority must be accepted
       • Fair Political Competiton
     • Representation
       • Political Equality
         • Citizens should have equal right to participation
         • Minority Representation

2. Two Methods

   • Proportional Representation
     • Priority is ensuring a range of public opinion
       • Advantages
         • Reduces Wasted Votes
           • Political Equality: Every Vote counts
         • Minority Parties
           • Minority Representation / More Political Competition
         • Parties appeal to more votes
         • Coalition Government and Policy Stability
       • Disadvantages
         • Fragmentation of Party System
           • Smaller Parties have disproportionate Say
         • Harder to hold Coalition Governments accountable
       • Party list / Ranked Choice Voting Mechanics
   • SMP / FPTP
     • One Representative in geographic Area Canada , US, UK
     • Advantages
       • Strong Opposition and Minority Governments
       • Strong Decisive Governments
       • Simple
         • Popular Sovereignty: Citizen Link to Rep
     • Disadvantages
       • Wasted Votes
         • Political Equality: Votes don't count
       • Extremist Parties
         • Lack of Minority Representation
       • Undermines Legitimacy
     • Mixed Member Proportional