4.1-4.4 Class Notes

Direct democracy (and examples of it)

Citizens vote on issues themselves

Examples:

• referendum → vote on laws

• Initiative → citizens propose laws

• Recall → remove elected officials

The 4 Key indicators of democracy

Representation → fair elections, effective legislature

Rights → freedom of speech, association, etc

Rule of law → laws apply to everyone equally

Participation → citizen involvement

The 4 things credible elections require

Real choice between candidates / parties

Free and equal voting right

Fair, unbiased election administration

Clear rules on money and campaigning

Why do elections matter

Choose representatives

Form government

Hold leaders accountable

Descriptive (mirror) representation (what it is, key factors, and what it is influenced by)

Legislature effects population

Key factors:

• region

• Gender

• Race/ethnicity

• Class

Influenced by:

• party candidate selection

• Electoral system

• Voter preferences

Political parties (what it is and their 4 main functions)

Organized group that runs candidates in elections

Main functions:

• recruit candidates

• Organize competition (help voters choose)

• Form government

• Combine (aggregate) interests

The 4 candidate selection methods (and what it affects)

Chosen by leader

Interview process

Party members vote (Canada)

Public primaries (US)

(Affects representation (who gets elected))

Purpose and methods of leader selection

Determines future head of government

Methods:

• party caucus

• Party members vote (canada)

• Primaries (US)

Types of party systems

Dominant party → one party usually always wins

Two party → two major parties alternate (e.g. republicans and liberals in US)

Multi party → several parties form a coalition

Representation bases for elections

Geographic → based on location

Group-based → based on identity

Single member systems

Electoral system

Plurality (SMP) → most votes wine

Majority (SMM) → must get >50%

Single member systems advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

• simple

• Strong local representation

• Stable governments

Disadvantages:

• unfair (disproportionate results)

• Over-focus on geography

• Hard to ensure diversity

Proportional representation (PR)

Multiple seats per district

Vote for party → seats match vote share

Proportional representation advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

• more fair representation

• More diversity

• Easier quotas

Disadvantages:

• more complex

• Weaker local representation

• Coalition instability

• Can include extreme parties

Duverger’s law

SMP → two party system

PR → multi party system

Why:

• mechanical effect → how votes are counted

• Psychological effect → how voters behave strategically

US electoral college

Each state gets votes → house seats + 2

Winner-take-all (most states)

Need 270 votes to win

Swing states are most important

What is political behaviour and what is it influenced by

Study of how people act politically

Influenced by:

• demographics

• Ideology

• Party ID

• Opinions of leaders