compare and contrast the main features of FPTP and PR, highlighting some of the
ID: 297775 • Letter: C
Question
compare and contrast the main features of FPTP and PR, highlighting some of the advantages and disadvantages of each system. Is one of them more “democratic?” Is one of them more “manageable?” Illustrate your answer with at least one country/example for each system. (Again, since this is a class that focuses comparatively, look for countries outside of the United States for your examples. Also, keep in mind that we are talking about democratic elections and not elections that take place in some authoritarian systems.)
Explanation / Answer
ia)There are different types of election system.
a. First Past The Post system: the election system in which the candidate gets the highest number of votes. this system is adopted in india. here the seats are allotted only if you win the highest number of votes. example: India
b. Proportional represenatation: It means that when votes are counted, each party is allotted the seats according to the votes it has won. This is called proportional representation. example: Israel.
The difference between FPTP and proportional system is
FPTP
a. Country is divided into small units called constituencies
b. Every constituency elects one representative
c. Voter votes for candidate
d. A party may get more seats than votes in elections.For example: congress party in 1984.
e. Example: UK, india
Proportional representation
a. The country may not be divided into small constituencies. The country may be treated as one large constituency.
b. More than one representative may be elected for one constituency
c. Voter votes for party
d. Every party gets seats according to the votes polled.
e. Example: Israel
iib)Advantages of FPTP
First Past The Post, like other plurality/majority electoral systems, is defended primarily on the grounds of simplicity and its tendency to produce winners who are representatives beholden to defined geographic areas and governability. The most often cited advantages are that:
Disadvantages of FPTP
However, FPTP is frequently criticized for a number of reasons. These include:
Advantages of PR systems
PR systems in general are praised for the way in which they
Disadvantages of PR systems
Most of the criticisms of PR in general are based around the tendency of PR systems to give rise to coalition governments and a fragmented party system. The arguments most often cited against PR are that it leads to:
iii
With their very nature, proportionally representative electoral systems are more democratic than first-past-the-post systems. Under first-past-the-post systems: in a given constituency the candidate with the plurality of votes will win the election – even if it is far below a majority. This is a significant problem with first-past-the-post systems, as votes in an election for any other than the winning candidate are ‘wasted’, with only the explicit opinions of those voting for the winner being taken into account.
examples
In1984, also the year when indian prime minister Indira Gandhi was shot dead, congress party won 80% of seats that is 415 seats out of 543 constituencies. By this standard , everybody will think that if congress has won 80% of seats than large number of people would have voted for the congress party. But this did not happen. Only 48% of people voted for them
In the last three UK General Elections in 1997, 2005 and 2010, more constituencies were won by less than 50% of the vote than were won by over 50%.,Furthermore, 52.8% of votes “were cast for losing candidates and therefore did not contribute to electing MPs” which increases to 71.1% when “Taking votes that ended up being surplus to winners’ requirements” in to account.This shows that first-past-the-post does not mean that the representative that is elected effectively commands the support of their constituents – which is not beneficial for democracy.
India adopted FPTP system The reasons were:
FPTP is a simple election system to be understood by common voters. unlike Proportional representation system which is a complicated one. And as india gained independence many were illiterates and it would have been difficult to understand the PR election system.
FPTP gives clear choice to the voters to either vote for a candidate or a party. But in PR system, the voter has to vote for the party and then candidate is elected according to the party lists.
In FPTP system, the voter knows whom they have voted for. They can hold him/ her accountable. But in PR, voters vote for the party and candidates are elected on the basis of party's lists. so the voters don't know who to hold accountable for the welfare.
Also in FPTP, one representative comes to power so there is no clash of ideas and interests. but in PR, many representatives come to power and there is a possibility that conflict of interests might take place leading to constant fights and delay in decision making. So FPTP was suited for giving a stable form of government.
In FPTP, the candidate works for the entire community not any specific community. So this leads to the formation of a nation. It has discouraged candidates to get votes from one community. In FPTP, having support of only one community, a candidate will not be able to win elections. He/she will need support of various communities. So it will help in building unity rather than dividing society. But in PR, voters might vote on the basis of community lines because there is a possibility of each community coming to power because seats will be shared according to the shares of votes. And this might lead to division in society...
so ftpt is just managing the things according to the needs of peoples..
isreal adopted pr system..
Israel's voting method is simplified by the fact that voters vote for a political party and not specific candidates in a closed list system. The country may not be divided into small constituencies. The country may be treated as one large constituency.and their country is only to safeguard the interestes of jewish community and to safe gurad majority community system they follow pr system..
happy chegging... have a great day.. please give your valuable suggestions and rate this question.. thank you
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