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Comparisons…Systems. 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:
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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. Presidential System 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 Legislaturein both systems • Role of legislature to enact legislation, so executive needs legislative to pass bills • Executive influences the legislative agenda by drafting bills • Executive is head of government • Legislature can remove the executive • Executive can introduce legislation
Mixed Presidential/Parliamentary System Characteristics: • Both a PM and a President • Directly elected president • Separate head of government and state
Unitary vs. Federal System Distribution of Power
Unitary System • Definition: • 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 System • Definition: • 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 • Definition: • 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