11 min readโขdecember 30, 2022
Harrison Burnside
Isabela Padilha Vilela
kelly-cotton
Harrison Burnside
Isabela Padilha Vilela
kelly-cotton
In our first topic, we explored how and rules are organized in each of our course countries. Now our job is to explain how election rules accomplish โ๏ธ different regarding , election wins, and . In order to do this, we need to start by reviewing proportional vs. election structures as well as single-member vs. .
Our next set of terms to explore are single-member and . In , one person represents the constituency. In , individuals vote for a party, and multiple members of that party are elected to represent that constituency. Our job now is to look at how these electoral systems or rules help to promote ๐ณ๏ธ
, discussed in topic 1.4, is the process that aims to provide the characteristics found in democracy. Those characteristics include:
๐บ๏ธ can result in an increase in the number of represented in national legislatures, as well as an increase in the election of minority and women candidates, all characteristics necessary for democracy. Single-member district plurality systems tend to promote two-party systems. They provide voters with strong constituency service and accountability because there is a single representative per district, and they ensure geographic representation.
If we look at our course countries, we see elements of , even in our authoritarian countries in regard to election rules. Let us put our counties in a quick table so we can talk about this more clearly:
At this point, you should be able to not only identify the electoral systems/rules of each course country but also recognize how those systems/rules are impacted by whether or not the regime is authoritarian or democratic.
However, we need to take a moment to explore some of the specific impacts ๐๏ธโ๐จ๏ธ singled out in the course and exam description. Let's start with how different political systems use electoral regulatory organizations to set various rules about and competition.
Three countries in particular need to be focused on in this regard. In Iran, as we discussed in our chart above, the must approve inclusion on a ballot. This means that there is a severe restriction to , unlike the UK ๐ฌ๐ง, for instance. As part of their democratic transition, Mexico ๐ฒ๐ฝ and Nigeria ๐ณ๐ฌ have created that attempt to reduce and manipulation and enhance electoral competition ๐ฐ Compare this to Russia ๐ท๐บ, which is another hybrid regime, which has no such mechanism in place. In 2011, there was an outcry both inside and outside of Russia in regard to the election results and possible ๐ณ๏ธ
Not all of our course countries have elections. Some regimes use an for membership in legislative bodies to promote a diversity of viewpoints, while other regimes ๐ use it to advance the political agenda of governing elites. Here are three examples of regimes, both democratic and authoritarian, that use appointment systems to promote diversity and maintain the agenda of governing elites.
We need to discuss another key concept in this topic, presidential elections, as we have simply focused on legislatures so far. Different presidential have different rules for determining election winners; some systems employ second-round or runoff elections to obtain a , while others decide elections based on a plurality of most votes cast among candidates in the race. We are going to examine each country individually.
When you see FRQs on this topic, they fall under the "Describe" task verb which means to discuss relevant characteristics of each county's points. We will not be discussing the UK (no executive) and China (not directly elected by the people, party selects).
One thing to keep in mind in regards to Iran, Nigeria, and Russia is that the 'majoritarian' rules provide winners with a national mandate. In other words, if they win a majority of the vote, it is viewed as having the support of the people to pass policies they see fit because the majority of citizens voted for the candidate and their platform.
This topic also asks us to discuss two other key concepts before we move onto Topic 4.3, so let us quickly examine them ๐
Comprehensive term limits are a sign of a consolidated democracy. For instance, we mentioned in Unit 2 when we were discussing the judiciary that the life-long appointment of judges in the Supreme Court is important to maintain stability and tradition, as a contrast to the other branches. But, there is a different expectation for the legislative and the executive. They are supposed to represent the demands of the different generations of voters, which can change over time. Events that take place in history, as well as the political environment, shift the political priorities of the population, and the cyclical nature of elections allow for candidates to change and adapt their priorities as well. In other words, term limits allow for flexibility, greater representation, and diversity in the legislative and executive.
Topic 4.2 is a perfect topic for the . For instance, you might be asked to assess the relationship between and via . In this case, it would be a good idea to choose two countries to support any claim you make. In the next guide, we will investigate the political party systems in our course countries! โก๏ธ
Appointment System
: An appointment system is a method used to select individuals for specific positions or roles based on qualifications, skills, or other criteria.Argumentative FRQ
: An argumentative FRQ (Free Response Question) is a type of essay question in which students are required to present and defend a specific argument or position on a given topic. It assesses the student's ability to construct a coherent argument, provide evidence, and support their claims.Ballot Access
: Ballot access refers to the process through which political parties or candidates can appear on an election ballot for voters to choose from.Consecutive Terms
: Consecutive terms refer to multiple successive periods in which an elected official holds office without interruption. This allows leaders to consolidate power and implement long-term policies.Constituency Accountability
: Constituency accountability refers to the responsibility of elected officials to represent and serve the interests of their constituents, who are the people living in a specific geographic area or constituency. It is a crucial aspect of democratic governance.Democratization
: Democratization refers to the process of transitioning a government or society from an authoritarian or non-democratic system to one that is democratic, where power is held by the people and there are free and fair elections.Election Systems
: Election systems refer to the methods and processes used to conduct elections, including how voters cast their ballots, how votes are counted, and how winners are determined.Federation Council in Russia
: The Federation Council is the upper house of the Russian parliament, consisting of representatives from each of Russia's federal subjects. It plays a role in passing legislation and approving appointments made by the president.First-Past-the-Post
: First-past-the-post is a voting system where candidates with the most votes win, regardless of whether they have a majority or not.Fixed Terms
: Fixed terms refer to a predetermined length of time that an elected official serves in office, after which they must step down or seek re-election. This helps ensure regular turnover of power and prevents leaders from becoming too entrenched.Gender Quotas
: Gender quotas are policies or laws that require a certain percentage of positions or seats to be filled by individuals of a specific gender.Guardian Council
: The Guardian Council is a powerful body in Iran that consists of 12 members, half of whom are appointed by the Supreme Leader and the other half are nominated by the judiciary and approved by the Parliament. It has the authority to vet candidates for elections and can veto legislation deemed inconsistent with Islamic principles.House of Lords
: The House of Lords is the upper chamber in the British Parliament, consisting mainly of appointed members who inherit their titles or are appointed by virtue of their expertise or contributions to society.Independent Election Commissions
: Independent election commissions are bodies responsible for organizing and overseeing elections in a fair and impartial manner. They ensure that electoral processes are transparent, free from interference, and provide equal opportunities for all candidates.Majority Vote
: A majority vote refers to a voting system where the option with more than half of the votes wins. It is when one choice receives more votes than all other options combined.Multi-Member Districts
: Multi-member districts are electoral systems where more than one representative is elected from each geographic constituency.No-Confidence Vote
: A no-confidence vote is a parliamentary procedure used to remove a sitting government from office if it loses the support or confidence of the majority of legislators.Political Parties
: Political parties are organized groups of people who share similar political beliefs and work together to influence government policies and gain control of the government through elections.Political Stability
: Political stability refers to a state of governance characterized by the absence of major political conflicts, social unrest, or abrupt changes in leadership. It provides a conducive environment for economic growth and development.Proportional Representation
: Proportional representation is an electoral system in which seats in a legislative body are allocated based on the proportion of votes each political party receives.Regime Objectives
: Regime objectives refer to the goals and priorities pursued by a government or ruling regime.Religious Minority Representation
: Religious minority representation refers to the inclusion and participation of individuals from religious groups that are in the numerical minority within a country's population in the political process.Single-Member Districts
: Single-member districts refer to an electoral system where each geographic district elects only one representative to serve in the legislature. This contrasts with multi-member districts where multiple representatives are elected from each district.Supreme Leader in Iran
: The Supreme Leader in Iran holds ultimate authority over all branches of government and serves as both the highest political and religious figure in the country.Term-Limit Policies
: Term-limit policies refer to rules or laws that restrict the number of terms an individual can serve in a particular political office.Universal Suffrage
: Universal suffrage refers to the right of all adult citizens to vote in elections, regardless of their gender, race, or social status. It ensures that every eligible individual has an equal opportunity to participate in the democratic process.Voter Fraud
: Voter fraud refers to illegal actions taken by individuals or groups to manipulate the outcome of an election. This can include activities like casting multiple votes, impersonating other voters, or tampering with ballots.11 min readโขdecember 30, 2022
Harrison Burnside
Isabela Padilha Vilela
kelly-cotton
Harrison Burnside
Isabela Padilha Vilela
kelly-cotton
In our first topic, we explored how and rules are organized in each of our course countries. Now our job is to explain how election rules accomplish โ๏ธ different regarding , election wins, and . In order to do this, we need to start by reviewing proportional vs. election structures as well as single-member vs. .
Our next set of terms to explore are single-member and . In , one person represents the constituency. In , individuals vote for a party, and multiple members of that party are elected to represent that constituency. Our job now is to look at how these electoral systems or rules help to promote ๐ณ๏ธ
, discussed in topic 1.4, is the process that aims to provide the characteristics found in democracy. Those characteristics include:
๐บ๏ธ can result in an increase in the number of represented in national legislatures, as well as an increase in the election of minority and women candidates, all characteristics necessary for democracy. Single-member district plurality systems tend to promote two-party systems. They provide voters with strong constituency service and accountability because there is a single representative per district, and they ensure geographic representation.
If we look at our course countries, we see elements of , even in our authoritarian countries in regard to election rules. Let us put our counties in a quick table so we can talk about this more clearly:
At this point, you should be able to not only identify the electoral systems/rules of each course country but also recognize how those systems/rules are impacted by whether or not the regime is authoritarian or democratic.
However, we need to take a moment to explore some of the specific impacts ๐๏ธโ๐จ๏ธ singled out in the course and exam description. Let's start with how different political systems use electoral regulatory organizations to set various rules about and competition.
Three countries in particular need to be focused on in this regard. In Iran, as we discussed in our chart above, the must approve inclusion on a ballot. This means that there is a severe restriction to , unlike the UK ๐ฌ๐ง, for instance. As part of their democratic transition, Mexico ๐ฒ๐ฝ and Nigeria ๐ณ๐ฌ have created that attempt to reduce and manipulation and enhance electoral competition ๐ฐ Compare this to Russia ๐ท๐บ, which is another hybrid regime, which has no such mechanism in place. In 2011, there was an outcry both inside and outside of Russia in regard to the election results and possible ๐ณ๏ธ
Not all of our course countries have elections. Some regimes use an for membership in legislative bodies to promote a diversity of viewpoints, while other regimes ๐ use it to advance the political agenda of governing elites. Here are three examples of regimes, both democratic and authoritarian, that use appointment systems to promote diversity and maintain the agenda of governing elites.
We need to discuss another key concept in this topic, presidential elections, as we have simply focused on legislatures so far. Different presidential have different rules for determining election winners; some systems employ second-round or runoff elections to obtain a , while others decide elections based on a plurality of most votes cast among candidates in the race. We are going to examine each country individually.
When you see FRQs on this topic, they fall under the "Describe" task verb which means to discuss relevant characteristics of each county's points. We will not be discussing the UK (no executive) and China (not directly elected by the people, party selects).
One thing to keep in mind in regards to Iran, Nigeria, and Russia is that the 'majoritarian' rules provide winners with a national mandate. In other words, if they win a majority of the vote, it is viewed as having the support of the people to pass policies they see fit because the majority of citizens voted for the candidate and their platform.
This topic also asks us to discuss two other key concepts before we move onto Topic 4.3, so let us quickly examine them ๐
Comprehensive term limits are a sign of a consolidated democracy. For instance, we mentioned in Unit 2 when we were discussing the judiciary that the life-long appointment of judges in the Supreme Court is important to maintain stability and tradition, as a contrast to the other branches. But, there is a different expectation for the legislative and the executive. They are supposed to represent the demands of the different generations of voters, which can change over time. Events that take place in history, as well as the political environment, shift the political priorities of the population, and the cyclical nature of elections allow for candidates to change and adapt their priorities as well. In other words, term limits allow for flexibility, greater representation, and diversity in the legislative and executive.
Topic 4.2 is a perfect topic for the . For instance, you might be asked to assess the relationship between and via . In this case, it would be a good idea to choose two countries to support any claim you make. In the next guide, we will investigate the political party systems in our course countries! โก๏ธ
Appointment System
: An appointment system is a method used to select individuals for specific positions or roles based on qualifications, skills, or other criteria.Argumentative FRQ
: An argumentative FRQ (Free Response Question) is a type of essay question in which students are required to present and defend a specific argument or position on a given topic. It assesses the student's ability to construct a coherent argument, provide evidence, and support their claims.Ballot Access
: Ballot access refers to the process through which political parties or candidates can appear on an election ballot for voters to choose from.Consecutive Terms
: Consecutive terms refer to multiple successive periods in which an elected official holds office without interruption. This allows leaders to consolidate power and implement long-term policies.Constituency Accountability
: Constituency accountability refers to the responsibility of elected officials to represent and serve the interests of their constituents, who are the people living in a specific geographic area or constituency. It is a crucial aspect of democratic governance.Democratization
: Democratization refers to the process of transitioning a government or society from an authoritarian or non-democratic system to one that is democratic, where power is held by the people and there are free and fair elections.Election Systems
: Election systems refer to the methods and processes used to conduct elections, including how voters cast their ballots, how votes are counted, and how winners are determined.Federation Council in Russia
: The Federation Council is the upper house of the Russian parliament, consisting of representatives from each of Russia's federal subjects. It plays a role in passing legislation and approving appointments made by the president.First-Past-the-Post
: First-past-the-post is a voting system where candidates with the most votes win, regardless of whether they have a majority or not.Fixed Terms
: Fixed terms refer to a predetermined length of time that an elected official serves in office, after which they must step down or seek re-election. This helps ensure regular turnover of power and prevents leaders from becoming too entrenched.Gender Quotas
: Gender quotas are policies or laws that require a certain percentage of positions or seats to be filled by individuals of a specific gender.Guardian Council
: The Guardian Council is a powerful body in Iran that consists of 12 members, half of whom are appointed by the Supreme Leader and the other half are nominated by the judiciary and approved by the Parliament. It has the authority to vet candidates for elections and can veto legislation deemed inconsistent with Islamic principles.House of Lords
: The House of Lords is the upper chamber in the British Parliament, consisting mainly of appointed members who inherit their titles or are appointed by virtue of their expertise or contributions to society.Independent Election Commissions
: Independent election commissions are bodies responsible for organizing and overseeing elections in a fair and impartial manner. They ensure that electoral processes are transparent, free from interference, and provide equal opportunities for all candidates.Majority Vote
: A majority vote refers to a voting system where the option with more than half of the votes wins. It is when one choice receives more votes than all other options combined.Multi-Member Districts
: Multi-member districts are electoral systems where more than one representative is elected from each geographic constituency.No-Confidence Vote
: A no-confidence vote is a parliamentary procedure used to remove a sitting government from office if it loses the support or confidence of the majority of legislators.Political Parties
: Political parties are organized groups of people who share similar political beliefs and work together to influence government policies and gain control of the government through elections.Political Stability
: Political stability refers to a state of governance characterized by the absence of major political conflicts, social unrest, or abrupt changes in leadership. It provides a conducive environment for economic growth and development.Proportional Representation
: Proportional representation is an electoral system in which seats in a legislative body are allocated based on the proportion of votes each political party receives.Regime Objectives
: Regime objectives refer to the goals and priorities pursued by a government or ruling regime.Religious Minority Representation
: Religious minority representation refers to the inclusion and participation of individuals from religious groups that are in the numerical minority within a country's population in the political process.Single-Member Districts
: Single-member districts refer to an electoral system where each geographic district elects only one representative to serve in the legislature. This contrasts with multi-member districts where multiple representatives are elected from each district.Supreme Leader in Iran
: The Supreme Leader in Iran holds ultimate authority over all branches of government and serves as both the highest political and religious figure in the country.Term-Limit Policies
: Term-limit policies refer to rules or laws that restrict the number of terms an individual can serve in a particular political office.Universal Suffrage
: Universal suffrage refers to the right of all adult citizens to vote in elections, regardless of their gender, race, or social status. It ensures that every eligible individual has an equal opportunity to participate in the democratic process.Voter Fraud
: Voter fraud refers to illegal actions taken by individuals or groups to manipulate the outcome of an election. This can include activities like casting multiple votes, impersonating other voters, or tampering with ballots.ยฉ 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
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