Siren reflection

    Cards (341)

    • The Siren's Reflection: 'Every day, Everywhere, At every turn, I am faced with mirrors.'
    • Sometimes I look or glance or stare, And each time I see me, I see perfection.
    • In reality, I'm far from perfect.
    • And all of that is perfect for me, As it's me and mine, and it means I'm special.
    • Scrolling and scrolling, mirror after mirror, Each reflecting a distorted ideal
    • One mirror catches my eye- a reflection yet to be mine, Skin that is clear and smooth and soft as ever, Eyes, like shimmering emeralds, Stare back at me from the mirror's depths, Lips red like a candy apple that are probably sweet as well
    • My fingertips traced the icy surface of the mirror, Feeling the chill of unattainable perfection.
    • Yet we try. At least I convinced myself.
    • I thought you was a friend, but you were my end, As I might drown- and that's fine.
    • A voice that isn't mine whispers in my head. And every time I pass a mirror, it shouts and cries, Next, I know my wardrobe has clothes I've never tried, My cupboards and fridge are stark and bare. The only thing that is here is the water in the tap. And this will all be fine in the end.
    • I strive to perfect her smile, her walk and her voice, Like a ghost seeking its own reflection in a mirror.
    • But when I confront my reflection now, All I see is a shattered image.
    • Do you see one too?
    • Elections
      The principle way in which governments in the UK are formed
    • Functions of elections
      • Governmental function
      • Representative function
      • Legitimising function
    • Governmental function

      Elections transfer power from one government to the next
    • Representative function

      Elections create a link between elected politicians and their constituents
    • Legitimising function
      Elections provide a mechanism where citizens give their consent to being governed
    • Promoting political participation
      • Provide the opportunity to participate
      • Educate the public
      • Provide a means to hold the current government to account
    • There is little evidence that people vote rationally, people tend to vote for opposition parties just because they are disenchanted by the current government
    • A vote for a party doesn't indicate complete agreement with their policies
    • There is no way of forcing a government to carry out its policies in its manifesto
    • Different policies may be needed in future years, bringing the need for extreme pragmatism. Many voters may not agree with the different policies
    • First Past The Post (FPTP)

      Plurality system used in General Elections to the House Of Commons
    • Advantages of FPTP
      • Strong government
      • Stable government
      • Strong MP constituency link
      • Clear Winner
    • Disadvantages of FPTP
      • Disproportionate results
      • Minority government
      • Smaller parties lose out
      • Wasted votes
      • Lack of choice
    • Single Transferable Vote (STV)

      Proportional Representation system used in Northern Ireland Assembly and European Parliament election in Northern Ireland
    • Advantages of STV
      • Wider choice
      • Internal choice
      • Representation
      • Proportional
    • Disadvantages of STV
      • Complex
      • Internal conflict
      • Unstable
    • Closed Party List
      Proportional Representation system used in European Parliament elections (Except for Northern Ireland)
    • Advantages of Closed Party List
      • Proportional
      • Disperses power
      • Equal votes
    • Disadvantages of Closed Party List
      • Breaks the close links between voters and their representatives
      • Increases risk of extremism
      • Party leaders decide the order and which candidates they put on their list
    • Additional Member System (AMS)

      Hybrid system used in Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and London assembly elections
    • Advantages of AMS
      • Coalitions more common so it produces a more representative government
      • Reduces disproportionate results of FPTP alone
      • Offers voters a better choice
      • Dominance of two parties reduced
    • Disadvantages of AMS
      • Confuses voters
      • Coalitions more common which may compromise the legitimacy of the government
      • Dominance of two parties reduced so these smaller parties may not be fit to govern
    • Supplementary Vote
      Majority system used in London Mayoral Elections
    • Advantages of single party systems
      • The ruling party takes responsibility
      • Strong united governments
      • Voters know what party forms the government
      • Coalitions are weak
    • Advantages of multiparty systems
      • Stronger governments are not always good
      • FPTP produces sharp conflict between parties
      • Coalitions have more electoral support
      • Coalitions are more broadly based
    • Electoral reform will make governments more accountable as FPTP leads to a government domination
    • Electoral reform will produce a more proportional and fairer outcome
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