Comparisons…Sys tems. Electoral Systems: Single Member District Plurality vs. Proportional...
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Transcript of Comparisons…Sys tems. Electoral Systems: Single Member District Plurality vs. Proportional...
Comparisons…Systems
Electoral Systems:
Single Member District Plurality
vs.Proportional Representation
How the votes get counted or who gets a seat in the legislature
Parliamentary vs.
PresidentialSystem
How the executive branch is born
Distribution of Power
Unitary vs. Federal System
Interest Group Systems
Corporatist vs.
Pluralist
Who gets heard?
Electoral Systems:
Single Member District Plurality
vs.Proportional Representation
How the votes get counted or who gets a seat in the legislature
Single Member District Plurality
Definition: Electoral system in which candidates run
for a single seat from a specific geographic district.
The winner is the person who receives the most votes, whether or not that is a majority
Characteristics: Usually results in two-party system Silences minority voters Creates large catch-all parties
Proportional Representation
Definition: An electoral system in which voters
select parties rather than individual candidates and parties are represented in legislatures in proportion to the shares of votes they win.
Characteristics: Usually results in multi-party systems Gives voice to minority voters Wider representation of political views
Parliamentary vs.
PresidentialSystem
How the executive branch is born
Parliamentary System
Characteristics: Fusion of Powers Executive born of legislature—executive
branch is populated by members of legislative branch
Parliamentary sovereignty Collective responsibility Vote of confidence to remove Prime Minister High party discipline No direct election of executive branch Examples: UK
Presidential System
Characteristics: Separation of Powers Checks and balances Direct election of president Lower party discipline Inefficient policy process Gridlock more likely Examples: Mexico, Nigeria, Iran (sort of)
Relationship with Legislature
in both systemsRole of legislature to enact legislation, so executive needs legislative to pass bills
Executive influences the legislative agenda by drafting bills
Executive is head of governmentLegislature can remove the executiveExecutive can introduce legislation
Mixed Presidential/Parliamentary System
Characteristics:Both a PM and a PresidentDirectly elected presidentSeparate head of government
and state
Distribution of Power
Unitary vs. Federal System
Unitary SystemDefinition:
Concentration of political power in a central government
Examples from AP6 United Kingdom China Iran
Federal System Definition:
A system of governance in which political authority is shared between the national government and regional or state governments
Examples from AP6 Russia Mexico Nigeria
Interest Group Systems
Corporatist vs.
Pluralist
Who gets heard?
Pluralist Interest Group SystemDefinition:
Multiple groups may represent a single society interest.
Characteristics: Group membership is voluntary and
limited. Groups often have a loose or
decentralized organizational structure. There is a clear separation between
interest groups and the government. United States is perfect example.
Corporatist Interest Group System
Definition: Interest groups are an institutional part of the
political structure and are active in policy formation and implementation.
Characteristics Membership in the peak association is often
compulsory and nearly universal. Peak associations are centrally organized and
direct the actions of their members. Groups are often systematically involved in
making and implementing policy. Key Point: Interest group part of policy process!
Rentier States
Rentier StatesDefinition:
A country that obtains much of its revenue from the export of oil or other natural resources
Impact: Government doesn’t have to be
accountable to citizens for income.Examples from AP6
Nigeria Russia Iran