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Evaluate the effectiveness of any electoral system used in the UK: You should refer to Scotland or the United Kingdom or both in your answer. - Scottish Highers Modern Studies - Question c - 2023
Question c
Evaluate the effectiveness of any electoral system used in the UK: You should refer to Scotland or the United Kingdom or both in your answer.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Evaluate the effectiveness of any electoral system used in the UK: You should refer to Scotland or the United Kingdom or both in your answer. - Scottish Highers Modern Studies - Question c - 2023
Step 1
Evaluate the effectiveness of the Additional Member System (AMS)
Answer
The Additional Member System (AMS) is used in Scotland for the Scottish Parliament elections. It combines proportional representation with an element of first-past-the-post, allowing for a wider variety of political representation.
Strengths of AMS
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Proportional Representation: AMS allows for a more accurate reflection of the electorate's preferences, as it accommodates smaller parties that might not achieve the majority with a simple plurality system.
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Voter Choice: Voters have two votes: one for a constituency candidate and another for a party. This increases voter choice and engagement.
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Reduction of Wasted Votes: Compared to first-past-the-post, AMS reduces the number of wasted votes, as votes are more likely to contribute to the resultant assembly.
Weaknesses of AMS
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Complexity: The system is more complicated for voters to understand, which may lead to confusion and a potential decrease in voter turnout.
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Coalition Governments: While this can be positive, it can also lead to instability if no party secures a majority, resulting in weak governance.
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Regional Disparities: AMS can lead to unequal representation based on regional party strength, which may exacerbate political divides.
Conclusion
In summary, while the Additional Member System promotes fairness and representation in Scottish elections, its complexity and potential for weakened governance raise questions about its overall effectiveness.
Step 2
Evaluate the effectiveness of the Single Transferable Vote (STV)
Answer
The Single Transferable Vote (STV) is employed in local elections in Scotland and in Northern Ireland. It is a form of proportional representation that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference.
Strengths of STV
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Fair Representation: STV ensures that party representation closely matches the votes received, minimizing wasted votes and allowing for a diverse political landscape.
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Voter Preference: It allows voters to express their preferences more fully by ranking candidates, enhancing voter engagement.
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Reduction in Tactical Voting: With STV, voters can vote for their preferred candidates without the fear of 'wasting' their vote, as the transfer of votes allows for a more nuanced electoral outcome.
Weaknesses of STV
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Complexity of Counting: The counting process can be lengthy and complicated, which might lead to delays in results being announced.
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Voter Confusion: Similar to AMS, voters may find STV difficult to grasp, potentially affecting voter turnout.
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Potential for Extremes: In some cases, STV may allow smaller, more extreme parties to gain representation, which could lead to less stable governance.
Conclusion
Overall, the Single Transferable Vote enhances democratic involvement and fairness in elections but presents challenges in terms of complexity and the potential for extreme representations.