Electoral Systems (3) Key Words

• mandate: the authority to govern which derives from an election victory, have the right to introduce manifesto policies and allows other decisions to be taken as they arise during their term in office
• manifesto: a document in which a political party details what actions and programmes it intends to introduce if it is successful in the next election
• class dealignment: where people no longer vote according to their social class
• partisan dealignment: the idea that people are less committed or loyal to one particular party
• governing competency: the perceived ability of gov, or opposition, to manage the affairs of the country wel
• disillusion: disappointment from discovering something is not as good as one beloved it to be, no confidence in politics and politicians as being able to solve issues and make a difference
• apathy: lack of interest, enthusiasm or concern for political activity
• Additional Member System: a hybrid electoral system that has two components or elements. voter makes 2 choice, firstly a representative then a second apportioned to the party list
• By-election: held in particular constituencies in between general elections which full vacancies left by death or resignation of an MP
• Coalition gov: formed of more than one political party and is normally accompanied by an agreement over policy options and offices of state
• Constituency: a geographical area used to determine which people each elected representative represents
• First Past the Post: an electoral system where the person with the highest number of votes is elected, also called a plurality system
• Legitimacy: the belief that the gov does things in terms of policy and law making thats are the acceptable to the citizens of that state
• Marginal seats: a seat held by the incumbent with a small majority/plurality of the vote
• Minority gov: one that enters office but does not have an absolute majority (50% + 1) of the seats in the legislature (parliament).
• Referendum: a vote, which may be national, regional or local, in which voters are asked a single question where the answer is either yes or no
• Safe seats: a seat in which the incumbent has considerable majority over their closest rival and is largely immune to swings in voting choice
• Single Transferable Vote: allows voters to rank candidates, after the votes are cast those with the fewest are eliminated and their votes transferred, winner must obtain a quota
• Supplementary vote: a majoritarian system where the voter makes 2 choices, if a candidate obtains over 50% the contest is complete but if they do not all but the top 2 candidates are removed and the votes are then redistributed