The document summarizes different electoral systems used in the UK and Scotland. It begins by explaining what an electoral system is and then describes the First Past the Post (FPTP) system used in UK general elections. It notes FPTP can result in disproportionate outcomes. The document then explains the Additional Member System (AMS) used in Scottish Parliament elections, which is a hybrid of FPTP and proportional representation. AMS aims to make representation more proportional. It provides an example of how AMS worked in a 2011 Scottish election. The document argues AMS increases fairness compared to FPTP.
Political Issues in the UK discusses three electoral systems used in the UK - First Past the Post, Single Transferable Vote, and Additional Member System. It also examines factors that influence voting behavior, including both long-term factors like social class, gender, geography, and race as well as short-term factors like current issues, political campaigns, personalities, and media coverage. The document provides arguments for and against each electoral system and voting influence.
The UK has a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch. The Queen is head of state over England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and other Commonwealth realms. The UK government is directly accountable to Parliament, made up of the House of Commons. Scotland also has devolved powers to its own Scottish Parliament for issues like education and healthcare. Scotland will hold a referendum on September 18, 2014 to decide whether Scotland should become an independent country separate from the UK.
The document discusses various ways for people to participate in Scottish politics, including voting, joining a political party, participating in election campaigns, becoming a candidate, and signing or sending petitions. Voting is one of the most obvious ways and usually takes place every four to five years for the Scottish Parliament and local councils. People must register to vote and can do so at polling stations on election day or apply for a postal vote. Signing or sending petitions allows people to request action from the Scottish Parliament on issues and some petitions have led to changes in law or policy.
Political parties in Scotland aim to win seats in Parliament by gaining public support for their visions of how the country should be run. The four main parties are the Scottish National Party (SNP), Labour Party, Conservative Party, and Liberal Democrat Party. The SNP currently holds the most power, having won a majority in the 2011 Scottish election. Each party publishes a manifesto outlining its unique policies on issues like education, the economy, and the environment to differentiate their visions for Scotland.
This document provides instructions for a Modern Studies exam consisting of 3 sections worth a total of 60 marks. Section 1 is worth 20 marks and focuses on democracy in Scotland or the UK. Candidates must choose one part to answer from Part A on Scottish democracy or Part B on UK democracy. Section 2 is also worth 20 marks and covers social issues in the UK, with candidates choosing between social inequality or crime/law. Section 3 is the final section worth 20 marks, requiring candidates to choose between world powers or world issues. The exam is 1 hour and 45 minutes long.
Laws are created by governments to define what actions constitute crimes and maintain order for society. In the UK, Members of Parliament make laws that apply nationwide, while the Scottish Parliament can make laws on devolved matters like health, education, and housing, leading to some differences between Scots and English law. Citizens have democratic means to influence the political process and lobby for changes to the law through pressure groups on issues like euthanasia and gun control.
This document contains a specimen exam for the Modern Studies course in Scotland. It is divided into three sections covering Democracy in Scotland/UK, Social Issues in the UK, and International Issues. Each section contains multiple choice questions assessing understanding of topics covered. Sources provided relate to the House of Lords, legal highs, and viewpoints on banning legal highs. The exam tests knowledge and ability to analyze sources to answer questions.
This document contains a practice exam for the Scottish Modern Studies course. It includes three sections - Democracy in Scotland/UK, Social Issues in the UK, and International Issues. For each section, students must choose one of two parts to answer questions about. The document provides sample questions, sources of information, and context for the questions. The questions require students to analyze sources, compare options, and explain their choices based on the evidence provided.
Political Issues in the UK discusses three electoral systems used in the UK - First Past the Post, Single Transferable Vote, and Additional Member System. It also examines factors that influence voting behavior, including both long-term factors like social class, gender, geography, and race as well as short-term factors like current issues, political campaigns, personalities, and media coverage. The document provides arguments for and against each electoral system and voting influence.
The UK has a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch. The Queen is head of state over England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and other Commonwealth realms. The UK government is directly accountable to Parliament, made up of the House of Commons. Scotland also has devolved powers to its own Scottish Parliament for issues like education and healthcare. Scotland will hold a referendum on September 18, 2014 to decide whether Scotland should become an independent country separate from the UK.
The document discusses various ways for people to participate in Scottish politics, including voting, joining a political party, participating in election campaigns, becoming a candidate, and signing or sending petitions. Voting is one of the most obvious ways and usually takes place every four to five years for the Scottish Parliament and local councils. People must register to vote and can do so at polling stations on election day or apply for a postal vote. Signing or sending petitions allows people to request action from the Scottish Parliament on issues and some petitions have led to changes in law or policy.
Political parties in Scotland aim to win seats in Parliament by gaining public support for their visions of how the country should be run. The four main parties are the Scottish National Party (SNP), Labour Party, Conservative Party, and Liberal Democrat Party. The SNP currently holds the most power, having won a majority in the 2011 Scottish election. Each party publishes a manifesto outlining its unique policies on issues like education, the economy, and the environment to differentiate their visions for Scotland.
This document provides instructions for a Modern Studies exam consisting of 3 sections worth a total of 60 marks. Section 1 is worth 20 marks and focuses on democracy in Scotland or the UK. Candidates must choose one part to answer from Part A on Scottish democracy or Part B on UK democracy. Section 2 is also worth 20 marks and covers social issues in the UK, with candidates choosing between social inequality or crime/law. Section 3 is the final section worth 20 marks, requiring candidates to choose between world powers or world issues. The exam is 1 hour and 45 minutes long.
Laws are created by governments to define what actions constitute crimes and maintain order for society. In the UK, Members of Parliament make laws that apply nationwide, while the Scottish Parliament can make laws on devolved matters like health, education, and housing, leading to some differences between Scots and English law. Citizens have democratic means to influence the political process and lobby for changes to the law through pressure groups on issues like euthanasia and gun control.
This document contains a specimen exam for the Modern Studies course in Scotland. It is divided into three sections covering Democracy in Scotland/UK, Social Issues in the UK, and International Issues. Each section contains multiple choice questions assessing understanding of topics covered. Sources provided relate to the House of Lords, legal highs, and viewpoints on banning legal highs. The exam tests knowledge and ability to analyze sources to answer questions.
This document contains a practice exam for the Scottish Modern Studies course. It includes three sections - Democracy in Scotland/UK, Social Issues in the UK, and International Issues. For each section, students must choose one of two parts to answer questions about. The document provides sample questions, sources of information, and context for the questions. The questions require students to analyze sources, compare options, and explain their choices based on the evidence provided.
This document outlines the structure and requirements for a Modern Studies exam consisting of 3 sections worth 60 marks total. Section 1 is on democracy in Scotland/UK and is worth 20 marks. Candidates must choose one of two parts, each focusing on different aspects of democracy. Section 2, also worth 20 marks, covers social issues in the UK and requires choosing between parts on social inequality or crime/law. Section 3, the final section worth 20 marks, presents choices between parts examining world powers or issues. The exam instructions specify writing answers in the provided booklet and identifying the question number being attempted.
This document appears to be an exam for a Modern Studies course, focusing on democracy, social issues, and international issues in Scotland, the UK, and the world. It contains 6 parts with multiple choice and essay questions. For Section 1, students must choose between Democracy in Scotland or Democracy in the UK, and answer 3 questions providing examples and explaining reasons. Section 2 focuses on Social Inequality or Crime/Law, with students answering 2 questions describing consequences and likelihoods. Section 3 covers World Powers or Issues, requiring answers based on analyzing 3 provided sources. The exam tests students' understanding of key concepts and ability to draw conclusions supported by evidence.
This document contains an excerpt from a Scottish modern studies exam with multiple choice questions about democracy in Scotland and the United Kingdom, social issues in the United Kingdom, and international issues. For the democracy in Scotland section, students must choose between a part about democracy in Scotland or democracy in the UK, and answer 3 questions providing examples and explaining advantages of the electoral system in Scotland. For social issues, they must choose between social inequality or crime/law and answer two questions about government efforts to reduce inequality or reasons for differences in living standards. The document provides sources for students to refer to in their answers.
This document contains information about a Modern Studies exam for the Scottish education system. It includes three sections that cover topics about democracy in Scotland/UK, social issues in the UK, and international issues. For each section, students can choose to answer questions about different parts/topics within that section. The exam requires students to answer questions about the given parts/topics by providing detailed descriptions and explanations supported by recent examples from Scotland and/or the UK. It also includes sources for some questions that students must use to both support and oppose given views. The full document provides the specific questions students would answer in the exam.
The document outlines topics related to government and politics in Scotland, including the powers of the Scottish Parliament and representation by MSPs and councillors, the main political parties in Scotland and their policies and campaign methods, and the voting systems used for the Scottish Parliament and local councils. It also discusses participation in the political process and influence through pressure groups and trade unions.
AS Government & Politics - Voting Systemskirstyodair
This document discusses different electoral systems, including First-Past-The-Post (FPTP), Alternative Vote (AV), and Supplementary Vote. It provides examples of how each system would work using sample vote counts. FPTP is described as having advantages of simplicity and strong government, but also exaggerating results and marginalizing some votes. AV and Supplementary Vote aim to elect candidates supported by over 50% by redistributing lower-preference votes. However, AV is still not fully proportional and some question if fringe candidates could influence outcomes.
The Scottish Parliament has devolved powers over areas like health, education, local government, and the environment. Reserved powers remain with the UK Parliament, such as defense, foreign affairs, and fiscal policy. Conflict can arise between the parliaments due to this split of powers, such as over the release of the Lockerbie bomber and the timing and question of an independence referendum. The Scottish Parliament is made up of 129 members who are democratically elected every four years to make laws for Scotland in devolved areas.
The document provides information about the role of Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). It discusses how MSPs are elected to represent constituencies or regions. It describes the main activities MSPs undertake, including representing constituents, debating and voting on laws in Parliament, asking questions of government ministers, and sitting on committees. It gives examples of the types of questions asked at First Minister's Question Time and the work of the Justice and Economy, Energy, and Tourism Committees. It also outlines tasks MSPs complete in their constituencies, such as attending meetings, visits, and surgeries to meet with constituents.
AS Government & Politics - Additional Member Systemkirstyodair
The document discusses the Additional Member System (AMS), a hybrid electoral system used in Scotland. It combines First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) and Proportional Representation (PR). Under AMS, some seats are allocated via FPTP and others via PR. For PR seats, parties present lists of candidates and seats are allocated based on each party's overall vote share using the D'Hondt formula. The document analyzes how AMS provides both proportional representation and local representation, but can also create two-tiers of constituencies and weaken representatives' connections to their areas.
The document discusses representation in the UK Parliament and the First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system. It explains that FPTP involves voting for a candidate in each constituency, with the candidate receiving the most votes winning the seat. It provides the example of Fiona O'Donnell winning the East Lothian constituency for Labour in 2010. The document outlines some strengths of FPTP, such as simplicity and stability of government, as well as limitations, such as votes not translating directly to seats and smaller parties finding it difficult to gain representation.
The document discusses issues with Canada's current first-past-the-post electoral system (FPTP) including that it can result in distorted results, wasted votes, and governments being formed without obtaining a majority of the popular vote. It provides examples from past Canadian elections to illustrate these issues. The document also discusses proportional representation systems and notes that many other modern democracies have adopted proportional representation instead of using antiquated FPTP systems like Canada's.
2014: A year of change for the European UnionBrunswick Group
The European Parliament elections will take place in May 2014 and will be followed by the appointment of a new European Commission, setting the tone and direction of EU policy-making for the next five years. Our Brussels office provides insight into the procedural aspects of the European Parliament elections and how the next Commission will be appointed.
This document provides an overview of the democratic systems in the UK, Denmark, and Pakistan based on a study tour. It summarizes key aspects of each country's democracy and political system, parliamentary/committee system, and Denmark's unique electoral system. The UK system is governed by two major parties and has a constitutional monarchy. Denmark has a tradition of coalition minority governments that change every four years, proportional representation, and an independent judiciary. Pakistan can learn from the evolution of democratic institutions in successful Western democracies.
Elections in the Commonwealth CaribbeanPhilbert John
The document discusses elections in Commonwealth Caribbean countries. It describes how these countries use either a first-past-the-post or proportional representation electoral system. It also outlines the responsibilities of electoral offices in managing elections, what political parties must do to prepare, and factors that influence election outcomes and voter participation such as campaign strategies, issues, and voter attitudes.
This document contains instructions and questions for a Modern Studies exam consisting of three sections: Democracy in Scotland/UK; Social Issues in UK; and International Issues.
Section 1 contains two 12-mark questions about the impact of leaving the EU or the influence of media on voting. Section 2 contains four 12-mark questions about social inequality, crime/law, or a source question.
Section 3 contains four 20-mark questions about world powers (social/economic inequality or influence on government) or world issues (factors causing issues or resolving attempts).
The exam consists of answering two questions from Section 1, one from Section 2, and one from Section 3, making references to Scotland, UK or international contexts as specified
Local government in Scotland is organized into 32 single-tier councils. Councils provide both mandatory services like education and social work, as well as discretionary services like leisure facilities. Councils are funded primarily through central government grants, as well as council tax payments and facility usage fees. The money is spent on key areas like education, housing, and social work.
This document contains a modern studies exam paper with multiple choice and essay questions about democracy, social issues, and international topics in Scotland and the UK. In section 1, students must choose between two questions on voting behavior and citizen participation. Section 2 focuses on social issues, requiring analysis of sources on smoking trends and a question on government policies to reduce smoking. Section 3 examines international issues, with sources and questions related to the impact of the recession in Eurozone vs non-Eurozone EU members and the abilities of world powers.
This document contains a passage and three sources related to democracy and political issues in the UK and internationally.
Source A discusses political inequality in the UK and how unequal voter turnout gives disproportionate influence to higher income voters. Source B provides statistics on voter turnout in the UK by age, social class, and housing type. Source C lists selected UK government policies from 2010-2015 that disproportionately affected lower income groups.
Sources for an international section discuss issues in Russia, including a law requiring NGOs to register as "foreign agents" if receiving foreign funding (Source A). Source B shows Russia's declining rating on a Political Rights Index compared to other countries. Source C reports that a Russian government spokesman said complaints
This document outlines a specimen question paper for the Higher Modern Studies exam in Scotland. It is divided into three sections worth 20 marks each: Democracy in Scotland and the UK; Social Issues in the UK; and International Issues. For each section, students must attempt one question worth 8 marks based on provided sources of information, and one 12-mark extended response question analyzing or evaluating a given topic. The paper is 2 hours and 15 minutes long and students must write their answers in the provided booklet.
This document contains an exemplar paper for the National 5 Modern Studies exam in Scotland. It is divided into three sections worth 20 marks each on: 1) Democracy in Scotland and the UK, 2) Social issues in the UK, and 3) International issues. For each section, students must attempt one question from Part A and one question from Part B, selecting from multiple choice style questions provided. The paper tests knowledge of concepts covered in the Modern Studies course and requires students to reference information provided in source materials and their own studies. It aims to evaluate students' understanding of democracy, social problems, and global conflicts.
The document provides personal information from 2004 and 2010, including living situation details. It notes some positive and negative aspects, and lists 4 areas of interest: adoption, charity, challenge, and humane.
The document discusses the debate around immigration to the United States. It notes that the U.S. is often described as a nation of immigrants due to its history of European settlement. Supporters argue that immigrants provide cheap labor, are young and want to work, and enhance cultural diversity and skills. However, others are concerned that current immigration levels threaten American culture and could change the country's dominant ethnic group. The debate centers around arguments that immigration positively or negatively impacts wages, education levels, crime, and cultural identity.
This document outlines the structure and requirements for a Modern Studies exam consisting of 3 sections worth 60 marks total. Section 1 is on democracy in Scotland/UK and is worth 20 marks. Candidates must choose one of two parts, each focusing on different aspects of democracy. Section 2, also worth 20 marks, covers social issues in the UK and requires choosing between parts on social inequality or crime/law. Section 3, the final section worth 20 marks, presents choices between parts examining world powers or issues. The exam instructions specify writing answers in the provided booklet and identifying the question number being attempted.
This document appears to be an exam for a Modern Studies course, focusing on democracy, social issues, and international issues in Scotland, the UK, and the world. It contains 6 parts with multiple choice and essay questions. For Section 1, students must choose between Democracy in Scotland or Democracy in the UK, and answer 3 questions providing examples and explaining reasons. Section 2 focuses on Social Inequality or Crime/Law, with students answering 2 questions describing consequences and likelihoods. Section 3 covers World Powers or Issues, requiring answers based on analyzing 3 provided sources. The exam tests students' understanding of key concepts and ability to draw conclusions supported by evidence.
This document contains an excerpt from a Scottish modern studies exam with multiple choice questions about democracy in Scotland and the United Kingdom, social issues in the United Kingdom, and international issues. For the democracy in Scotland section, students must choose between a part about democracy in Scotland or democracy in the UK, and answer 3 questions providing examples and explaining advantages of the electoral system in Scotland. For social issues, they must choose between social inequality or crime/law and answer two questions about government efforts to reduce inequality or reasons for differences in living standards. The document provides sources for students to refer to in their answers.
This document contains information about a Modern Studies exam for the Scottish education system. It includes three sections that cover topics about democracy in Scotland/UK, social issues in the UK, and international issues. For each section, students can choose to answer questions about different parts/topics within that section. The exam requires students to answer questions about the given parts/topics by providing detailed descriptions and explanations supported by recent examples from Scotland and/or the UK. It also includes sources for some questions that students must use to both support and oppose given views. The full document provides the specific questions students would answer in the exam.
The document outlines topics related to government and politics in Scotland, including the powers of the Scottish Parliament and representation by MSPs and councillors, the main political parties in Scotland and their policies and campaign methods, and the voting systems used for the Scottish Parliament and local councils. It also discusses participation in the political process and influence through pressure groups and trade unions.
AS Government & Politics - Voting Systemskirstyodair
This document discusses different electoral systems, including First-Past-The-Post (FPTP), Alternative Vote (AV), and Supplementary Vote. It provides examples of how each system would work using sample vote counts. FPTP is described as having advantages of simplicity and strong government, but also exaggerating results and marginalizing some votes. AV and Supplementary Vote aim to elect candidates supported by over 50% by redistributing lower-preference votes. However, AV is still not fully proportional and some question if fringe candidates could influence outcomes.
The Scottish Parliament has devolved powers over areas like health, education, local government, and the environment. Reserved powers remain with the UK Parliament, such as defense, foreign affairs, and fiscal policy. Conflict can arise between the parliaments due to this split of powers, such as over the release of the Lockerbie bomber and the timing and question of an independence referendum. The Scottish Parliament is made up of 129 members who are democratically elected every four years to make laws for Scotland in devolved areas.
The document provides information about the role of Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). It discusses how MSPs are elected to represent constituencies or regions. It describes the main activities MSPs undertake, including representing constituents, debating and voting on laws in Parliament, asking questions of government ministers, and sitting on committees. It gives examples of the types of questions asked at First Minister's Question Time and the work of the Justice and Economy, Energy, and Tourism Committees. It also outlines tasks MSPs complete in their constituencies, such as attending meetings, visits, and surgeries to meet with constituents.
AS Government & Politics - Additional Member Systemkirstyodair
The document discusses the Additional Member System (AMS), a hybrid electoral system used in Scotland. It combines First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) and Proportional Representation (PR). Under AMS, some seats are allocated via FPTP and others via PR. For PR seats, parties present lists of candidates and seats are allocated based on each party's overall vote share using the D'Hondt formula. The document analyzes how AMS provides both proportional representation and local representation, but can also create two-tiers of constituencies and weaken representatives' connections to their areas.
The document discusses representation in the UK Parliament and the First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system. It explains that FPTP involves voting for a candidate in each constituency, with the candidate receiving the most votes winning the seat. It provides the example of Fiona O'Donnell winning the East Lothian constituency for Labour in 2010. The document outlines some strengths of FPTP, such as simplicity and stability of government, as well as limitations, such as votes not translating directly to seats and smaller parties finding it difficult to gain representation.
The document discusses issues with Canada's current first-past-the-post electoral system (FPTP) including that it can result in distorted results, wasted votes, and governments being formed without obtaining a majority of the popular vote. It provides examples from past Canadian elections to illustrate these issues. The document also discusses proportional representation systems and notes that many other modern democracies have adopted proportional representation instead of using antiquated FPTP systems like Canada's.
2014: A year of change for the European UnionBrunswick Group
The European Parliament elections will take place in May 2014 and will be followed by the appointment of a new European Commission, setting the tone and direction of EU policy-making for the next five years. Our Brussels office provides insight into the procedural aspects of the European Parliament elections and how the next Commission will be appointed.
This document provides an overview of the democratic systems in the UK, Denmark, and Pakistan based on a study tour. It summarizes key aspects of each country's democracy and political system, parliamentary/committee system, and Denmark's unique electoral system. The UK system is governed by two major parties and has a constitutional monarchy. Denmark has a tradition of coalition minority governments that change every four years, proportional representation, and an independent judiciary. Pakistan can learn from the evolution of democratic institutions in successful Western democracies.
Elections in the Commonwealth CaribbeanPhilbert John
The document discusses elections in Commonwealth Caribbean countries. It describes how these countries use either a first-past-the-post or proportional representation electoral system. It also outlines the responsibilities of electoral offices in managing elections, what political parties must do to prepare, and factors that influence election outcomes and voter participation such as campaign strategies, issues, and voter attitudes.
This document contains instructions and questions for a Modern Studies exam consisting of three sections: Democracy in Scotland/UK; Social Issues in UK; and International Issues.
Section 1 contains two 12-mark questions about the impact of leaving the EU or the influence of media on voting. Section 2 contains four 12-mark questions about social inequality, crime/law, or a source question.
Section 3 contains four 20-mark questions about world powers (social/economic inequality or influence on government) or world issues (factors causing issues or resolving attempts).
The exam consists of answering two questions from Section 1, one from Section 2, and one from Section 3, making references to Scotland, UK or international contexts as specified
Local government in Scotland is organized into 32 single-tier councils. Councils provide both mandatory services like education and social work, as well as discretionary services like leisure facilities. Councils are funded primarily through central government grants, as well as council tax payments and facility usage fees. The money is spent on key areas like education, housing, and social work.
This document contains a modern studies exam paper with multiple choice and essay questions about democracy, social issues, and international topics in Scotland and the UK. In section 1, students must choose between two questions on voting behavior and citizen participation. Section 2 focuses on social issues, requiring analysis of sources on smoking trends and a question on government policies to reduce smoking. Section 3 examines international issues, with sources and questions related to the impact of the recession in Eurozone vs non-Eurozone EU members and the abilities of world powers.
This document contains a passage and three sources related to democracy and political issues in the UK and internationally.
Source A discusses political inequality in the UK and how unequal voter turnout gives disproportionate influence to higher income voters. Source B provides statistics on voter turnout in the UK by age, social class, and housing type. Source C lists selected UK government policies from 2010-2015 that disproportionately affected lower income groups.
Sources for an international section discuss issues in Russia, including a law requiring NGOs to register as "foreign agents" if receiving foreign funding (Source A). Source B shows Russia's declining rating on a Political Rights Index compared to other countries. Source C reports that a Russian government spokesman said complaints
This document outlines a specimen question paper for the Higher Modern Studies exam in Scotland. It is divided into three sections worth 20 marks each: Democracy in Scotland and the UK; Social Issues in the UK; and International Issues. For each section, students must attempt one question worth 8 marks based on provided sources of information, and one 12-mark extended response question analyzing or evaluating a given topic. The paper is 2 hours and 15 minutes long and students must write their answers in the provided booklet.
This document contains an exemplar paper for the National 5 Modern Studies exam in Scotland. It is divided into three sections worth 20 marks each on: 1) Democracy in Scotland and the UK, 2) Social issues in the UK, and 3) International issues. For each section, students must attempt one question from Part A and one question from Part B, selecting from multiple choice style questions provided. The paper tests knowledge of concepts covered in the Modern Studies course and requires students to reference information provided in source materials and their own studies. It aims to evaluate students' understanding of democracy, social problems, and global conflicts.
The document provides personal information from 2004 and 2010, including living situation details. It notes some positive and negative aspects, and lists 4 areas of interest: adoption, charity, challenge, and humane.
The document discusses the debate around immigration to the United States. It notes that the U.S. is often described as a nation of immigrants due to its history of European settlement. Supporters argue that immigrants provide cheap labor, are young and want to work, and enhance cultural diversity and skills. However, others are concerned that current immigration levels threaten American culture and could change the country's dominant ethnic group. The debate centers around arguments that immigration positively or negatively impacts wages, education levels, crime, and cultural identity.
In the United States, ethnic minorities and women have historically been underrepresented in Congress compared to their proportions of the population. While Barack Obama was the first African American president, minorities make up a small percentage of members of Congress. There are only a few minority senators and congressmen. Similarly, women comprise a small minority of senators and congresswomen. However, representation of ethnic minorities has begun to improve at the local and state levels, where minorities have more success in mayoral and state legislative elections.
Pressure groups use several legal methods to advocate for their causes, including letter writing campaigns, petitions, demonstrations, lobbying, and media outreach. Letter writing campaigns involve thousands of individuals sending letters to decision-makers to raise awareness about an issue and put pressure on politicians. Successful petitions with hundreds of thousands of signatures are also difficult for officials to ignore. Pressure groups aim to raise public awareness, influence policymakers, apply pressure, and attract media attention through these coordinated grassroots efforts.
The document summarizes Scotland's criminal court system. It describes that Scotland has separate criminal courts from England and Wales dating back to the 170s. There are two types of criminal procedures - solemn for serious offenses tried by judge and jury, and summary for less serious offenses tried by sheriff alone. The majority (96%) of cases are dealt with via summary procedure. The different criminal courts in Scotland are also outlined, ranging from the High Court of Judiciary for most serious crimes to Justice of the Peace Courts for minor offenses.
The document outlines the rights and responsibilities of pressure groups. Pressure groups have the right to demonstrate, publicize their cause, contact politicians, and freely speak about their issues. However, they also have responsibilities to not break laws during demonstrations, tell the truth, not intimidate politicians, or verbally abuse others. Overall, the document discusses how pressure groups can advocate for their causes through certain rights but also must do so responsibly.
The Children’s Hearing System in Scotland deals with children in need as well as youth offenders. Children under 16 can only be prosecuted for serious crimes, otherwise cases are referred to the Children's Reporter who can call a hearing with the Children's Panel. The Panel is made up of volunteers from the community who make decisions in the child's best interests, such as having them continue living at home with supervision or placing them in alternative housing. Hearings aim to be informal and child-focused. The system is praised for addressing the needs of at-risk youth but has been criticized for being overburdened and slow.
The document discusses various government responses to social and economic issues in the United States such as employment, poverty, education, healthcare, housing, and crime. It outlines programs like TANF, food stamps, grants for education, and acts like No Child Left Behind that aim to help low-income families and improve opportunities for minorities. While progress has been made in reducing poverty, increasing education levels and homeownership among minorities, inequalities still persist in the US due to economic reasons like lack of funding for social services, social reasons like lack of role models, and political challenges in enacting change.
The US population was approximately 310 million in 2010, with most people identifying as white (66%), Hispanic (15.1%), black (12.9%), Asian (5.1%), or Native American (0.9%). The population is growing by around 1% each year, and is projected to reach 440 million by 2050, with 80% of that increase coming from new immigrants and their descendants. Hispanics currently make up the largest minority group but are expected to triple in size and comprise 29% of the population by 2050 based on current trends. It is also expected that 20% of Americans will be immigrants by 2050.
The document discusses political participation in the United States. It states that the US is a democracy where citizens can vote for over 1 million elected positions at the federal, state, and local levels. These include the President, members of Congress, governors, mayors, and school board members. Citizens can also vote directly on ballot propositions on important issues. However, not all citizens participate, with ethnic minorities and immigrants being less likely to due to barriers such as voter registration requirements, the number of elections, different ballot styles, and a lack of interest or understanding of the political process.
A pressure group is an organization made up of individuals who want to influence decision making on issues they are passionate about. Pressure groups form because representatives are sometimes unwilling or unable to listen to individuals, so groups feel they can have more success pressuring the government. Pressure groups vary greatly in size from local groups protesting a new development to large international organizations addressing global problems. They aim to influence policy but do not want to be in government themselves.
The document discusses several areas of social and economic inequality in the USA, including wealth, employment, health, education, housing, and crime. It provides evidence that ethnic minorities such as Black and Hispanic Americans face significantly higher rates of poverty, unemployment, lack of health insurance, lower life expectancy, higher school dropout rates, lower home ownership, and higher rates of incarceration when compared to white Americans. The inequalities are linked to issues of discrimination, unequal access to resources and opportunities, and concentration of minorities in low-income urban areas with underfunded public services and higher crime rates.
The document discusses different types of police departments that tackle specific aspects of crime. These include community police who work in a local area, a dog branch that uses dogs to search for drugs and bombs, an air support unit that uses helicopters, a criminal investigation department (CID) that investigates crimes like murder or theft, and forensics experts who examine crime scenes for evidence. The roles of the police include the power to detain, arrest, and charge criminals. They also patrol local areas to maintain law and order, gather evidence of crimes, and respond to emergencies.
The document discusses strategies to reduce crime related to road traffic offenses. It notes that there were over 10,000 vehicle accidents in Scotland in 2010. Current laws regarding driving and traffic are outlined, including requirements for licenses, insurance, and penalties for offenses like speeding, driving without insurance, drink driving, and using a mobile phone while driving. The UK government is considering changes like raising the driving age from 17 to 18, requiring more driving lessons, and banning passengers for new drivers late at night. Arguments for and against raising the driving age center on potentially reducing deaths but also limiting mobility for young people.
This document discusses direct action, which is any illegal activity undertaken by a pressure group to further their cause. It provides examples of direct action taken by various groups, such as Fathers 4 Justice dressing up as Batman and protesting at Buckingham Palace, animal rights groups attacking laboratories, and anti-abortion groups threatening clinics in the US. The document also mentions anti-capitalist protesters causing violence and vandalism during the 2013 G8 summit in London. Pressure groups may feel direct action is necessary when they believe legal methods are not achieving enough. However, there are also arguments against taking illegal actions.
The document discusses the US Constitution and the system of government it establishes. It explains that the US has a written constitution and the Bill of Rights outlines citizens' rights and responsibilities. It also describes that the US has a federal system with both a national government and state governments. The federal government is split into three branches - the executive (President), legislative (Congress), and judicial (Supreme Court) branches, which each have distinct roles in governing the country.
The United States is the most powerful country in the world due to its large wealth, population, and resources. It has the largest economy and military, and is an influential member of international organizations. The US exerts power globally through its leadership in political, economic, and cultural affairs. It contributes over 20% of the world's GDP and provides half of all international aid. American companies and culture also wield significant soft power through ubiquitous brands and exports of media and entertainment.
The United States spends more on healthcare as a percentage of GDP than other countries like the UK, Spain, and Japan, yet has many uninsured citizens. Around 46 million Americans lack health insurance due to factors like unemployment, lack of employer coverage, or existing illnesses. Hispanics have the highest uninsured rates at around 32%. The Affordable Care Act aimed to expand coverage, reduce costs, and make healthcare more equitable and accessible. However, there is ongoing debate around the appropriate role of government in healthcare and whether reform will reduce costs or freedom of choice as opponents argue it increases spending and control.
This document outlines various topics related to crime and the law, including types of crimes such as theft, fraud, assault, and murder. It also discusses potential causes of crime like poverty, social exclusion, and peer pressure, as well as the impact of crime on communities and victims. Finally, it mentions strategies for tackling crime through policing, drug/alcohol/traffic laws, details of the criminal justice system procedures and sentencing, custodial sentences, and the children's hearing system.
Strategies to Reduce Crime through Alcohol Regulation
Current laws regulate the sale of alcohol to minors and intoxicated individuals. Proposed new laws aim to restrict multi-buy discounts and improve age verification. Raising the minimum alcohol purchase age to 21 could help reduce crimes, accidents, and health issues among younger people by limiting their access, but may also increase illegal and unsafe underage drinking. Holding a class debate on this issue could explore arguments on both sides.
This document provides an overview of electoral systems used in the UK, including:
- First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system currently used, which can result in disproportionate results and a two-party system.
- Alternative systems like the Additional Member System (AMS) used in Scotland and Wales, which combines FPTP and party list voting for proportional representation.
- Single Transferable Vote (STV) system used in Northern Ireland, which allows ranking candidates by preference to ensure proportional representation.
An illustrated introduction to how proportional representation voting systems work (from Fair Voting BC). After you've watched this slide show, we suggest you check out our companion slideshow showing a more specific example of how proportional voting might work in Canada (in particular, on the Island of Montreal).
The document discusses different voting systems used in elections in the UK, US and Belgium. For the UK, it describes the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system used for general elections and other proportional systems. For the US, it outlines the electoral college system for presidential elections and plurality voting for other elections. It also provides details on Belgian elections and voting systems. The document then analyzes the proposed alternative vote (AV) system that was considered in a 2011 UK referendum and debates around reforming the electoral college system in the US.
There are several types of electoral systems for electing representatives. Plurality/first-past-the-post systems are used in the UK, where each constituency elects one member of parliament and the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they do not receive a majority. This system favors large parties but can underrepresent others. Majority systems aim to elect candidates supported by over 50% of voters through methods like ranked voting and runoffs. Proportional systems allocate seats to parties based on their overall vote share, better representing smaller parties but potentially increasing chances of coalition governments. Hybrid systems combine elements of plurality and proportional systems.
There are several types of electoral systems for electing representatives. Plurality/first-past-the-post systems are used in the UK, where each constituency elects one member of parliament and the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they do not receive a majority. This system can result in overrepresentation of the largest parties and underrepresentation of others. Majority systems aim to elect candidates supported by over 50% of voters through methods like ranked voting and runoffs. Proportional systems allocate seats to parties based on their overall vote share through closed-list or open-list proportional representation. Hybrid systems combine elements of plurality and proportional systems.
There are several types of electoral systems for electing representatives. Plurality/first-past-the-post systems are used in the UK, where each constituency elects one member of parliament and the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they do not receive a majority. This system favors large parties but can underrepresent others. Majority systems aim to elect candidates supported by over 50% of voters through methods like ranked voting and runoffs. Proportional systems allocate seats to parties based on their overall vote share, better representing all parties. Hybrid systems combine elements of plurality and proportional systems.
The document summarizes how the UK Parliament works. It is made up of three parts: the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the Monarch. Members of Parliament are elected by constituents to represent their local areas as either members of a political party or independents. The House of Lords is made up of both hereditary and life peers who review bills passed by the Commons. A general election determines the governing party whose leader will become Prime Minister and form the government.
This document provides information about elections and voting in the UK. It defines key terms like election, manifesto, and mandate. It describes the functions of elections like representation, choosing a government, participation, and accountability. It also outlines different electoral systems used in the UK, including first-past-the-post, alternative vote, supplementary vote, regional list, and single transferable vote. It provides details on the features, advantages, and disadvantages of each system.
This slide tells you about the list system in details..
including it's MEANING, TYPES, MERITS, DEMERITS AND CONCLUSION..
this presentation is easy to understand and can be easily adhered to
1) The document discusses four electoral systems - Alternative Vote (AV), Mixed Member Majoritarian (MMM), Mixed Member Proportional (MMP), and Single Non-Transferable Vote (SNTV).
2) It provides examples of each system using experiences from countries like Australia, Taiwan, New Zealand, and a simulated local election in Malaysia.
3) The key aspects of each system are explained including how ballots are structured, how votes are counted, and what outcomes each system tends to produce in terms of representation.
The wasted votes problem in MMP - and how to fix itMike Osborne
The current handling of wasted votes in MMP is undemocratic; it needs to change.
Voters who vote for parties that don't meet the threshold effectively get their votes allocated to parties that do meet the threshold.
Allow voters to select parties by preference so that they can explicitly direct where their votes go should they vote for a party that doesn't meet the threshold.
UK General Election Scenario Analysis: Impact on Policy, Theresa May and Ster...Olivier Desbarres
In less than 24 hours the British electorate will start voting in the election for the 650-seat House of Commons with the result expected early in the morning of Friday 9th June.
While the last general election was only held two years ago, there is arguably as much if not more at stake this time round than in May 2015.
Opinion polls still point to the ruling Conservatives winning a record-high 44% of the national vote ahead of the opposition Labour Party, but polling agencies which in the past have misestimated true voting intentions still display great inconsistency.
Ultimately it is the number of seats which British parties command which matters and the UK’s first-past-the-post electoral system makes it difficult to predict.
You Gov’s constituency-specific model forecasts the Conservatives winning only 304 seats as a result of a record number of “wasted” votes, a 26-seat loss and well short of both a working and absolute majority. Labour would increase its seat numbers from 229 to 266.
This would result in a hung parliament and either a coalition or minority government.
My own model points to the Conservatives winning around 360 seats (55.4% of total) and Labour 212 seats. Admittedly, this prediction is based on a number of assumptions, namely the net share of votes which Conservatives gain from other parties as well as voter turnout.
Whether the Conservatives significantly improve on their current 330 seats or fail to secure a parliamentary majority remains a tough call and there is an almost infinite number of possible outcomes.
However, I have narrowed down in Figure 10 the number of seats the Conservatives could win to eight possible scenarios, in each case assessing i) Their probability; ii) Their numerical impact on the Conservatives’ majority (or lack thereof); and iii) The risk of opposition parties and/or Conservative backbenchers high-jacking the policy agenda.
Figure 11 assesses for each of the eight scenarios their likely impact on iv) Theresa May’s standing within the Conservative Party and v) Sterling and currency volatility.
Regardless of what happens tomorrow, two events beyond British shores also scheduled for 8th June – the ECB’s policy meeting and Former FBI Director James Comey’s testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee – will conceivably exacerbate Sterling volatility.
1. The document discusses the nominating process and elections in the United States. It outlines five ways candidates can become nominated - self announcement, caucuses, primaries (closed, open, blanket), and petitions.
2. It also discusses when elections are held, methods of voting including absentee/early voting, and innovations in voting technology from machines to online voting.
3. Campaign financing is also covered including sources of funds, regulations on contributions and expenditures from individuals and PACs, and recent reforms like the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.
The document provides information on the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system used for elections in Northern Ireland. It discusses that STV is a form of proportional representation that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. It also describes how the STV counting process works, with votes being transferred to candidates based on subsequent preferences until the required number of candidates reach the quota needed to be elected.
In this article we have explained about the Types of electoral system and Indian electoral system also. There are three Plurality, Majority and Proportional representation system.
1.6 the government and_you_elections_websitejkoryan
The document provides an overview of the electoral process in Canada. It discusses key aspects such as elections, the role of political parties, and the different stages of the electoral process. The key points are:
1) Elections in Canada involve citizens voting for representatives through ballots. Citizens vote for the candidate they would like to represent their riding.
2) The electoral process has six main stages: dissolution of parliament, enumeration (preparation of voter lists), nomination of candidates, campaigning by parties and candidates, balloting on election day, and tabulation of results.
3) After an election, if a party wins over half the seats it forms a majority government, while a party with the most seats but
1. The document discusses different voting methods and power indices for measuring voting power, including Condorcet's method, plurality voting, Shapley-Shubik index, and Banzhaf index.
2. Examples are provided to illustrate the Shapley-Shubik index and Banzhaf index, showing how voting power shares change under different decision rules for a 12-member and 15-member European Council.
3. The power indices behave differently, with the Banzhaf index of larger countries diminishing and smaller countries increasing as the decision rule increases for the 15-member Council.
This document discusses various proposed electoral reforms in India to reduce the influence of money and muscle power in politics. It proposes solutions such as restricting the number of candidates with criminal backgrounds that parties can field, establishing state funding of elections to reduce donation influence, fast-tracking the trial of criminal cases against politicians, implementing negative voting options in EVMs, and requiring candidates to declare their assets publicly. The goal of these reforms is to promote fairer and more uniform elections where candidates are elected based on merit rather than money or criminal power.
National 5 History assignment - writing the main sectionmrmarr
The document provides guidance on writing the main section of a paper using the FIDO method, which stands for Factor, Information, Debate, and Overall. According to FIDO, the main section should cover 3 issues by first introducing the factor, then describing at least 3 relevant facts including one source fact, explaining why the issue is important, and on one occasion explaining why the issue is not the most important before stating the factor's overall importance and reason.
National 5 History assignment - writing the conclusionmrmarr
The document provides guidance for writing a conclusion in 3 sections: (a) directly answering the question and stating the main reason or issue, (b) providing one piece of evidence to support the stated view, and (c) acknowledging other important factors while emphasizing the primary factor. The writer is also reminded to include at least two sources in their response.
SQA Advanced Higher History exam paper - 2023mrmarr
1) Kenneth MacAlpin's conquest of Pictland in the mid-9th century was an important step towards the formation of the kingdom of Alba by 900, though interpretations differ on his contributions. Sources C and D reveal differing views, with Source C seeing MacAlpin's dynasty as giving "added posthumous glory" to his conquest, while Source D emphasizes local Pictish resistance and that the tradition of MacAlpin killing Pictish nobles is "likely fictitious."
2) Sources A and B provide context on pre-Roman and Roman Northern Britain. Source A describes the lifestyle and organization of Iron Age peoples, though its usefulness is limited by being an outside account.
Advanced Higher History exam - 2023 (marking instructions)mrmarr
This document provides marking instructions for the 2023 Advanced Higher History exam in Scotland. It outlines general marking principles, such as using positive marking and awarding marks for relevant points made by candidates regardless of errors. It also provides specific guidance for marking different types of questions, including essays, source analysis questions, and questions comparing two sources. The marking criteria focus on assessing candidates' knowledge, analysis, evaluation of sources, and understanding of historiography.
SQA Higher History exam (paper 1) - 2023 (marking instructions)mrmarr
The document provides marking instructions for the 2023 Higher History exam on British, European and World History. It outlines general marking principles and principles for specific question types, including essays. For essays, it describes how marks should be awarded for historical context, conclusions, use of knowledge, analysis, and evaluation. The marking instructions provide guidance to examiners on assessing responses consistently according to SQA standards.
This document contains instructions and questions for a History exam on British, European and World History from 2023. It is divided into two sections, with Section 1 focusing on British history and Section 2 on European and World history. Each section contains multiple parts on different time periods and topics. Students must choose one part from Section 1 and one from Section 2, and answer one question from each of the two parts they chose. The questions range from short answers to longer essay questions assessing students' understanding of key historical developments, causes, consequences and interpretations.
Higher History exam (paper 2) - 2023 (marking instructions)mrmarr
The document provides marking instructions for the 2023 Scottish Higher History exam on Scottish History. It outlines general marking principles, marking principles for different question types, and detailed marking instructions for specific questions. For question 1, candidates can earn marks for interpreting the viewpoints in two given sources about the Guardians ruling Scotland after King Alexander III's death, and for providing relevant outside knowledge. Overall, the document provides a framework for examiners to consistently mark student responses for this exam.
Sources A and B provide differing interpretations of the early growth of Protestantism in Scotland in the 1550s-1560s. Source A emphasizes that many Scots were dissatisfied with the Catholic Church and open to Protestant ideas due to works criticizing the Catholic Church. Source B stresses the impact of Protestant preachers like John Knox and the support of powerful lords and the passing of laws against Protestant literature.
Source C outlines the Second Book of Discipline's vision of an independent Kirk governed by presbyteries and assemblies rather than bishops or the Crown. It notes James VI's opposition to these plans in 1581, with Presbyterians believing the King should submit to the Kirk, while the King and nobility disagreed
Higher Migration and Empire - reasons for emigrant scots' successmrmarr
The document discusses reasons for the success of many emigrant Scots in building new lives in other parts of the British Empire from 1830-1939. It states that Scots often succeeded due to factors like their nationality, English language abilities, education levels, reputation for hard work, skills in demanded fields, establishment of businesses and communities, and support from the British government and other Scots abroad. However, not all emigrant Scots found success, as some faced problems like poverty, unemployment, and loneliness in their new homes.
The 1944 Education Act aimed to improve education access and outcomes in Britain. It raised the compulsory school leaving age to 15, providing all children a minimum of secondary education. At age 11, children took an exam that determined if they attended an academic-focused senior secondary school or trades-focused junior secondary school. However, the exam system was criticized for penalizing poorer students and determining children's futures too early. Labour also introduced new school buildings to replace those damaged in war and accommodate growing student populations, though secondary schools remained outdated in many areas.
The NHS was established in 1948 by the 1945-51 British government to provide universal healthcare access, treating all medical problems freely at the point of use based on need rather than ability to pay. It aimed to eliminate disease by offering healthcare to all British citizens, over half of whom previously lacked medical coverage. While popular, the NHS also proved very expensive to run and faced initial shortages of hospital facilities and medical staff that limited treatment effectiveness and access.
The New Towns Act of 1946 aimed to tackle overcrowding and improve housing conditions in Britain by building new towns with homes. 14 new towns were established by 1951, moving people from city slums to new communities built in the countryside. However, these new towns initially lacked jobs and local facilities, requiring long commutes. Additionally, while the government set targets to build over 1 million new homes by 1951, housing shortages remained an issue as only around 800,000 new houses were completed. Prefabricated housing provided a temporary solution to the shortage but was meant to last only 10 years though many prefab homes stood for decades.
The Family Allowances Act of 1946 provided weekly payments to mothers with two or more children to help families struggling financially, especially those where fathers had died in war. However, it did not help families with only one child and payments stopped at age 18. The National Insurance Act of 1946 built on previous acts to provide benefits like sickness, unemployment, old age pensions and other benefits by requiring weekly contributions from working-age people. However, the poorest still struggled to pay and the National Assistance Act of 1948 provided additional financial help for these individuals. Studies in York in 1936 and 1950 showed poverty levels falling from 36% to only 2% due to these welfare programs but benefits did not always keep up with inflation.
Labour social reforms 1945-51 - Unemploymentmrmarr
The Labour government nationalized several key industries like coal mining, steel production, electricity, and railways between 1946-1948. This was done to ensure these important industries were controlled by the country rather than private companies. Owners were compensated for the nationalized industries. Nationalization allowed the government to use tax money to fund unprofitable businesses and increase apprenticeships to reduce unemployment. However, nationalization was very costly and this high cost reduced funds available for other issues. Labour also introduced policies aimed at improving working conditions for workers through measures like paid holidays and secure jobs at docks. While some workers saw higher wages and better conditions, it may have discouraged companies from hiring more employees as it increased costs. Labour's home
Youngest c m in India- Pema Khandu BiographyVoterMood
Pema Khandu, born on August 21, 1979, is an Indian politician and the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh. He is the son of former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Dorjee Khandu. Pema Khandu assumed office as the Chief Minister in July 2016, making him one of the youngest Chief Ministers in India at that time.
13062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
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Essential Tools for Modern PR Business .pptxPragencyuk
Discover the essential tools and strategies for modern PR business success. Learn how to craft compelling news releases, leverage press release sites and news wires, stay updated with PR news, and integrate effective PR practices to enhance your brand's visibility and credibility. Elevate your PR efforts with our comprehensive guide.
केरल उच्च न्यायालय ने 11 जून, 2024 को मंडला पूजा में भाग लेने की अनुमति मांगने वाली 10 वर्षीय लड़की की रिट याचिका को खारिज कर दिया, जिसमें सर्वोच्च न्यायालय की एक बड़ी पीठ के समक्ष इस मुद्दे की लंबित प्रकृति पर जोर दिया गया। यह आदेश न्यायमूर्ति अनिल के. नरेंद्रन और न्यायमूर्ति हरिशंकर वी. मेनन की खंडपीठ द्वारा पारित किया गया
1. Section 7 - Electoral systems
What you will learn
-
What is an electoral system
The nature of the UK electoral system
The electoral systems used in Scottish elections
Advantages and disadvantages of electoral systems
What is an electoral system?
An electoral system is the method by which you count the votes and decide how many
representatives each party wins. Different electoral systems can result in very different
election outcomes. For example if you used a different system you may even end with a
completely different government. In order to understand the Scottish electoral systems, we
must first look at the UK electoral system used to elect MPs.
First Past The Post
The electoral system used in the UK to elect MPs is known as First Past The Post (FPTP)
How does FPTP work?
Under First Past The Post (FPTP) voting takes place in single-member constituencies of
which there are 650 in the UK. Although constituencies vary widely in area, the average
number of voters in each constituency is approximately 68,175. In each constituency, voters
put a cross in a box next to their favoured candidate and the candidate with the most votes
in the constituency wins a seat in the House of Commons. Only a simple majority is needed to
win the seat. The party that wins the most seats in the House of Commons forms a
government.
Elections to the UK Parliament
Paisley and Renfrewshire South
Vote for one candidate only (X)
Douglas Alexander (Labour Party)
Andy Doig (Scottish National Party)
Gordon McCaskill (Conservative Party)
Ashay Ghai (Liberal Democrat)
Paul Mack (Independent)
Example FPTP ballot paper for Paisley and Renfrewshire South
1
2. Usually the party who wins the most seats has more than half of the seats and can form a
strong government. This is because the party has more seats than all the other parties put
together. We call this an overall majority. Sometimes, however, the votes can be spread in
such a way that no one party has more than half of the seats. This is called a ‘hung
parliament’. In these circumstances either one party will form a ‘minority government’ or
two parties may join together to form a ‘coalition government’ as is the case with the
Conservatives and Liberal Democrats just now when the Conservative party failed to win
more half of the seats in the House of Commons to form a strong government.
Constituency A
Labour
21,200 votes
Conservative
21,199 votes
Liberal Democrat
8,656 votes
SNP
3,821 votes
2010 UK General election results
B
Constituency B
Labour
30,000 votes
Conservative
10,226 votes
Liberal Democrat
4,333 votes
SNP
3,266 votes
Full UK Scoreboard
Seats
Votes
%
Conservative
307
10,726,214
36.1
Labour
258
8,609,527
29
Liberal Democrat
57
6,836,824
23
Democratic Unionist
8
168,216
0.6
SNP
6
491,386
1.7
Sinn Fein
5
171,942
0.6
Plaid Cymru
3
165,394
0.6
Green
1
285,616
1
UK Independence
0
919,546
3.1
Party
Party
2
3. Arguments for and against FPTP
There are many arguments for and against FPTP.
Arguments for FPTP
Arguments against FPTP
It's simple to understand and thus doesn't
cost much to administer and doesn't
alienate people who can't count.
Representatives can get elected on tiny
amounts of public support as it does not
matter by how much they win, only that
they get more votes than other candidates.
It encourages tactical voting, as voters
vote not for the candidate they most
prefer, but against the candidate they most
dislike.
FPTP in effect wastes huge numbers of
votes, as votes cast in a constituency for
losing candidates, or for the winning
candidate above the level they need to win
that seat, count for nothing.
FPTP severely restricts voter choice.
Parties are coalitions of many different
viewpoints. If the preferred-party
candidate in your constituency has views
with which you don't agree, you don't have
a means of saying so at the ballot box.
It doesn't take very long to count all the
votes and work out who's won, meaning
results can be declared a handful of hours
after polls close.
It can discourage extremist parties as it is
very hard for them to be elected, even if
they do achieve a sizeable number of votes.
It tends to produce a two-party system
which in turn tends to produce single-party
governments, which don't have to rely on
support from other parties to pass
legislation.
Usually one party gains a clear majority
It is very unfair on smaller parties as the
therefore a strong government is formed
results do not always reflect closely the
that can get things done.
number of votes a party received.
Activities
1. Describe how the First Past the Post voting system operates.
2. Draw 2 spider diagrams showing the arguments for and against FPTP.
3. What parties do you think benefit most from FPTP?
4. Which parties do you think find FPTP very unfair?
Exam Style Question
Explain in detail, the arguments for and against FPTP.
(Nat.4 – 4 Marks)
(Nat.5 - 8Marks)
3
4. Scottish Electoral System
The voting systems used in Scotland to elect MSPs and local councillors are different from
that used to elect MPs. The voting system used for Scottish Parliament elections is called
the Additional Members System (AMS) and for local councils it is called the Single
Transferable Vote (STV). Both are forms of Proportional Representation (PR). In PR systems
there is a greater link between votes received and votes won.
Additional Member System (AMS)
AMS is a hybrid voting system used to elect the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly
since 1999, as well as the London Assembly.
How does AMS work?
AMS combines elements of First Past the Post where voters mark an X next to the
candidate they want to represent them in their constituency, and proportional
representation, where voters select from a list of candidates for each party who represent a
larger regional constituency. This helps to overcome the disproportionally often associated
with First Past The Post elections.
Under AMS, each voter typically gets two votes – one for a candidate and one for a party.
The first vote is to elect 73 constituency MSPs in the local constituency elections using
FPTP. The second vote is to elect the 56 regional MSPs, in a multi-member constituency,
choosing between parties.
Elections of the Scottish Parliament
You have two votes
Constituency members
Vote once only
Regional members
(X)
(X)
A candidate
A party
B party
B candidate
C party
C candidate
D party
D candidate
E party
E candidate
F party
4
Vote once only
5. Overall, the Additional Member System creates eight Members of the Scottish Parliament
(MSPs) to represent every person in Scotland: one constituency MSP and seven regional
MSPs.
The eight regions of Scotland MSPs.
Each region elects 7.
Fact file – Additional Member
System
Constituency
Regional
This vote is for a Constituency
This vote is for Regional representatives
representative.
Scotland is divided up into 73 electoral areas,
Scotland is divided into 8 electoral areas
known as constituencies.
known as regions.
The electorate is given the choice of
Each Party has a list of prospective
different people, most of whom belong to a
candidates.
political party, to vote for to be their
constituency representative.
The person with the most votes in each
A particular mathematical formula is used
constituency wins and becomes the MSP for
to allocate additional members from the
that constituency.
various parties, based on the number of
votes each party receives.
They are First Past the Post winners.
This system is used so that the
percentage of votes a party receives in
the Election is about the same as the
percentage of seats they win in the
Scottish Parliament.
5
6. Case Study: Glasgow Anniesland 2011 election
The constituency vote was to elect the person who would represent the constituency of
Glasgow Anniesland. The results in that election were as follows.
Candidate name
Party
Votes Cast
Bill Butler
Scottish Labour
10,322
Bill Kidd
Scottish National Party
10,329
Marc Livingston
Communist party of Britain
256
Paul McGarry
Scottish Liberal Democrats
1,000
Matthew Taylor Smith
Scottish Conservative
2,011
Bill Kidd (SNP) won more votes than any other candidate (FPTP) in the constituency and
therefore was elected as the constituency MSP for Glasgow Anniesland.
The regional vote was for a political party and was counted from all the votes in the region of
Glasgow using a mathematical formula that means the total number of seats a party receives
in the election more accurately reflects the percentage of votes the party has received.
Each party provides a list of individuals numbered 1-7 before the election and if a party
receives 3 MSPs through the regional vote then numbers 1-3 on the list will be elected as
MSPs.
Party
No. of seats won
Regional MSP’.s
Labour
3
Hanzala Malik
Drew Smith
Anne McTaggart
Green
1
Patrick Harvie
Conservative
1
Ruth Davidson
Scottish National Party
2
Humza Yousaf
Bob Doras
Region of Glasgow - Regional vote result
Following the 2011 election result, the constituents of Anniesland are represented by the Bill
Kidd (constituency MSP) and, Hanzala Malik; Drew Smith; Anne McTaggart; Patrick Harvie;
Ruth Davidson; Humza Yousaf and Bob Doras. (Regional MSPs)
6
7. The impact of AMS
A fairer result
There is no doubt that AMS increases proportionality by reducing the gaps between share of
votes and share of seats. In sharp contrast, in the 2010 general election, the First Past The
Post system awarded Labour almost 70% of Scottish seats in the House of Commons with
only 42% of the vote.
Coalition government or minority party government
In 1999 and 2003 Labour formed a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats.
In the 2007 election the SNP overtook Labour as the strongest party in the Scottish
Parliament, but only by a single seat. The SNP formed a minority government and had to
depend on other parties supporting their policies for the respective bills to be passed in
Parliament.
Small parties encouraged and sometimes rewarded
In 2003 the Greens and the Scottish Social Party (SSP) won 13 out of 56 seats in the second
ballot. The presence of Green and SSP MSPs in the Scottish Parliament would not have been
achieved under First Past The Post. However, in the 2007 and 2011 elections only the
Greens, with two MSPs, represented the small parties.
Greater voter choice
There has been a large increase in the number of parties and individual candidates competing
for seats in the second ballot. More than 20 parties participated in the 2011 elections.
The impact of AMS in the 2011 Scottish Parliament election
The 2011 election was a triumph for the SNP who achieved a landslide victory that gave
them an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament and an end to either coalition or minority
government. Labour, who had maintained their dominance in the 2010 General election,
suffered a collapse in their support and number of MSPs. Labour lost 9 seats while the SNP
gained 22.
Party
SNP
+/-
Lab
+/-
Cons
+/-
Lib
+/-
0ther
+/
-11
3
-
Dems
Total
69
+22
37
-9
15
-2
5
Scottish Parliament election results, May 2011
However, the biggest losers were the Liberal Democrats. Scottish voters were unhappy that
the Liberal Democrats had joined up with the Conservatives to form a coalition government
after the 2010 general election. The Liberal Democrats were punished and lost 11 of their 16
seats.
7
8. Party
Seats
+/-
Votes
%
+/-%
SNP
53
+32
902,915
45.4
+12.5
Labour
15
-20
630,461
31.7
-0.5
Conservative
3
-3
276,652
13.9
-2.7
Liberal
2
-9
157,714
7.9
-8.2
0
0
21,480
1.1
-1.1
Democrat
Other
Scottish Parliament election May 2011, constituency results
Party
Seats
+/-
Votes
%
+/-%
SNP
16
-9
876,421
44.0
+13
Labour
22
-13
523,559
26.3
-2.9
Conservative
12
-2
245,967
12.4
-1.6
Liberal
3
-3
103,472
5.2
-6.1
-1
241,632
12.1
-2.5
Democrat
Labour
Scottish Parliament election May 2011, regional list results
Political party
Constituency
Regional
Total MSPs % of
% of
MSPs
MSPs
votes
seats
Conservative
3
12
15
13.15
11.6
Green
0
2
2
2.2
1.6
Labour
15
22
37
29
28.7
Liberal Democrats
2
3
5
6.55
3.9
Scottish National
53
16
69
44.7
53.5
Party
Scottish Parliamentary Election results 2011
The last shows that the percentage of votes is closely related to the percentage of seats
each party received. This is because of the formula that is used to ensure that the number
of seats for parties in the Scottish Parliament is roughly proportional to the number of
votes they won. A party that has a clear lead in the constituency election will do less well in
the regional list election. For example, Table 7.15 shows that the SNP won 53 constituency
seats but only 16 regional seats. The table also shows that the SNP won a majority of seats
in the Parliament. This is the first time a single party has held a majority.
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9. Arguments for and against AMS
There are many arguments for and against the Additional Member System.
Arguments for AMS
Arguments against AMS
It is fairer because it produces a close
correlation between shares of votes and
shares of seats. In the 2011 Scottish
Parliament election, the Conservatives won
about 13% of the votes and about 12% of
the seats.
It gives minor parties more parliamentary
representation. In the 2003 election, the
Scottish Socialist Party, the Green Party,
the Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party
and the Independents were all represented.
It can create a government in which a
minority party can implement its policies.
The Liberal Democrats finished fourth in
the 2003 Scottish election, yet formed a
government with Labour.
It reduces the number of wasted votes and
so encourages greater turnout.
Each voter has a directly accountable single
constituency representative.
Every voter has at least one effective vote.
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It can lead to an unstable and weak
government. The minority SNP weak
government of 2007-2007 found it difficult
to implement its policies. It failed for
example to implement its policy of minimum
pricing of alcohol in November 2010.
It creates conflict between the
constituency MSP and the seven list MSPs.
There is clear rivalry between the two
classes of MSPs. MSPs elected via the
regional lists have been seen as having 'got
in via the backdoor' or as 'assisted place'
or 'second class' members.
It can be complicated with people getting
confused over exactly what they are
supposed to do with their two votes.
Many representatives are accountable to
the party leadership rather than the
voters.
10. Activities
1. Describe the AMS electoral system.
2. Under AMS, each voter typically gets two votes. Describe the differences between these
votes.
3. How many MSPs is each constituent in Scotland represented by?
4. How is the regional vote calculated? How are regional MSPs chosen?
4. Describe the impact of AMS in Scotland?
5. Why was the 2011 election was a triumph for the SNP?
Exam Style Question
Explain in detail, the arguments for and against AMS.
(Nat.4 – 4 Marks)
(Nat.5 - 8Marks)
The Single Transferable Vote (STV)
This PR system was used in the Scottish local government elections for the first time in May
2007. It is also used in Northern Ireland for elections to both the Northern Ireland
Assembly and the European Parliament.
How does STV work?
The Single Transferable Vote (STV) is a form of proportional representation which uses
preferential voting in multi-member constituencies. Candidates don't need a majority of
votes to be elected, just a known 'quota', or share of the votes, determined by the size of
the electorate and the number of positions to be filled.
Each voter gets one vote, which can transfer from their first-preference to their secondpreference, so if a voters preferred candidate has no chance of being elected or has enough
votes already, their vote is transferred to another candidate. STV thus ensures that very
few votes are wasted, unlike other systems, especially First Past the Post, where only a small
number of votes actually contribute to the result.
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11. The main features of STV
Representatives are chosen from multi-member constituencies
In a five-member local government constituency (ward), voters rank their preferences among
the total number of candidates standing, using the numbers 1 to 5.
Often the number of candidates will be in double figures.
Electors can vote for as many or as few candidates as they like.
A complicated quote system is used to calculate the minimum number of votes required to
win one of the seats to be filled.
Local council elections
Rank candidates in order of preference ‘1’, ‘2’, ‘3’ etc
Candidate
Number
Candidate A
5
Candidate B
3
Candidate C
1
Candidate D
4
Candidate E
2
Example STV ballot paper
The impact of STV in Scotland
The Local Government Elections 2007 and 2012
The introduction of the STV system in 2007 to replace FPTP has led to a fairer distribution
of seats among the parties but it has also led to far fewer councils being controlled by one
party. This results in a significant number of councils having coalition administrations. Labour
dominance of local government has ended: in 2003, Labour had 509 councillors and overall
control of 13 councils; SNP had 181 councillors and overall control of one council. In contrast,
in the 2007 elections using STV, SNP gained the most councillors having 363 but control of
no council, and Labour dropped to 348 councillors and control of two councils.
It was decided that elections for the Scottish Parliament and local councils would not take
place at the same time. For this reason, council elections were delayed until 2012. Both the
SNP and Labour claimed they were the winners in the 2012 council elections. The SNP could
argue they had the most seats and the largest increase in councillors. Labour could argue
they controlled the most councils, including Glasgow, which the SNP had hoped to win. What
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12. was clear was that the Liberal Democrats did badly – they lost 95 seats and suffered the
humiliation of an Independent candidate dressed as a penguin receiving more votes than the
Liberal Democrat candidate in Edinburgh’s Pentland Hills ward – they came fourth behind ‘the
penguin’ Professor Pongoo, a climate activist.
Party
Number of councillors
Net gain/loss compared
with 2003 elections
Scottish National Party
363
+182
Scottish Labour
348
-161
Scottish Liberal Democrats
166
-9
Scottish Conservative
143
+20
Scottish Green
8
+8
2007 local council election results
Party
Number of councillors
Net gain/loss compared
with 2007 elections
Scottish National Party
425
+62
Scottish Labour
394
+46
Scottish Liberal Democrats
71
-95
Scottish Conservative
115
-28
Scottish Green
14
+6
2012 local council election results
Party
2003 (FPTP)
2007 (STV)
2012 (STV)
Labour
13
2
4
SNP
1
0
2
Independents
6
3
4
Total councils
20
5
10
Councils controlled by Labour, SNP, Independents
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13. Arguments for and against STV
There are many arguments for and against STV.
Arguments for STV
Arguments against STV
STV gives voters more choice than any
The process of counting the results takes
longer under STV, meaning that results
cannot usually be declared on the same
night as the vote took place.
other system. This in turn puts most power
in the hands of the voters, rather than the
party heads, who under other systems can
more easily determine who is elected.
Fewer votes are 'wasted' (i.e. cast for
losing candidates or unnecessarily cast for
the winner) under STV. This means that
In large multi-member constituencies,
ballot papers can get rather big and
confusing.
most voters can identity a representative
that they personally helped to elect. Such a
link in turn increases a representative's
accountability
Under STV, as opposed to hybrid systems
such as AMS, all MPs are elected on the
same basis, thus lessening the chances of
there being animosity between them.
A voting system that allows voters to rank
candidates is prone to so-called 'Donkey
voting', where voters vote for candidates in
the order they appear on the ballot.
Activities
1. Describe the main features of STV.
2. Outline the impact of the introduction of STV on the Scottish local council elections of
2007.
Exam Style Question
Explain in detail, the arguments for and against STV.
(Nat.4 – 4 Marks)
(Nat.5 - 8Marks)
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