Chapter 2: Electoral Systems
Functions:
Forming Government
Transfer power from one government to the next
- e.g. the 2015 election led to a change in government from the Conservative-Lib
Dem coalition to a Conservative majority government.
Formed from the majority party
Leader of the majority party becomes PM
PM appoints the ministers to the cabinet
In the UK, the results of elections are usually very clear (apart from February 1974
and May 2010) so a government is formed the day after the election.
- If the result is unclear, negotiations take place meaning that the formation of a
government can take longer.
Ensuring Representation
Link MP to their constituencies
1. Ensure constituents’ concerns are articulated and addressed in parliament
e.g. as a Green MP, Caroline Lucas represents the interests of the people of
Brighton in the House of Commons, example constituents concern over
fracking
2. General link between government and public opinion
Elections make politicians accountable and removable
People therefore have the final control over who and how the country is governed
Participation of the public in their representative democracy
- E.g. Liberal Democrats were held accountable for their broken promises over
tuition fees in the 2015 election when they were reduced to 8 MPs.
5 years’ gap in between elections are too long
dispute over how politicians can and should represent the people
Upholding Legitimacy – maintain stability
voting – obligation to obey and respect the government they chose
- consent to being governed
holding the MPs accountable
maintaining political stability.
low turnout – questionable mandate
- apathy, disillusioned withholding ‘consent’
falling support – declining popular satisfaction
Example: two functions of elections
• They are a means of providing choice for the electorate – elections are contested by
different parties who offer differing programmes if they are placed in power.
Elections serve to identify and secure that choice.
• Elections are devices which allow governments to be fairly removed and to form.
They provide legitimacy.
Functions:
Forming Government
Transfer power from one government to the next
- e.g. the 2015 election led to a change in government from the Conservative-Lib
Dem coalition to a Conservative majority government.
Formed from the majority party
Leader of the majority party becomes PM
PM appoints the ministers to the cabinet
In the UK, the results of elections are usually very clear (apart from February 1974
and May 2010) so a government is formed the day after the election.
- If the result is unclear, negotiations take place meaning that the formation of a
government can take longer.
Ensuring Representation
Link MP to their constituencies
1. Ensure constituents’ concerns are articulated and addressed in parliament
e.g. as a Green MP, Caroline Lucas represents the interests of the people of
Brighton in the House of Commons, example constituents concern over
fracking
2. General link between government and public opinion
Elections make politicians accountable and removable
People therefore have the final control over who and how the country is governed
Participation of the public in their representative democracy
- E.g. Liberal Democrats were held accountable for their broken promises over
tuition fees in the 2015 election when they were reduced to 8 MPs.
5 years’ gap in between elections are too long
dispute over how politicians can and should represent the people
Upholding Legitimacy – maintain stability
voting – obligation to obey and respect the government they chose
- consent to being governed
holding the MPs accountable
maintaining political stability.
low turnout – questionable mandate
- apathy, disillusioned withholding ‘consent’
falling support – declining popular satisfaction
Example: two functions of elections
• They are a means of providing choice for the electorate – elections are contested by
different parties who offer differing programmes if they are placed in power.
Elections serve to identify and secure that choice.
• Elections are devices which allow governments to be fairly removed and to form.
They provide legitimacy.
