Define
Election results based on different countries
Two-party system vs. multiparty (Westminster vs. consensual)
Advantages of two-party system
Clear winner in elections (lack of ambiguity)
More stable
More effective
Disadvantage of two-party system
Less representative of population
Opposition is not effective à in UK, shadow government is not effective in introducing different lines of policy
What splits parties?
- Socioeconomic cleavage
- Social issues (abortion, gay rights)
- Religious issues
o Creates emergence of Far Right parties
Replacing prime minister in UK
- elections
- party forces him to step down (back-bench rebellion)
- can replace government without going to elections
- stability is very important
FRANCE
President can dissolve National Assembly and in effect replace Prime Minister with new elections
It is possible for Prime Minister to become it again
Germany
Bundestag can only remove Chancellor with successor in mind
German head of state can dissolve the parliament even as an apolitical figure
British head of state does not have this power
Judges
FRANCE
Constitution Court à only deals with constitutional matters before they become law
President, president of lower house of National Assembly, president of Senate appoint judges
Judges have limited term (9 years) and are dependent
Germany
Elected by parties
Oversight role
Britain
Law lords cannot abolish legislation
Declare politicians behavior invalid if their authority goes beyond allotted power
German elections
1st ballot: State elections for individuals: FPTP
2nd ballot: federal election for parties à proportional representation.
France only allows past 12.5% onto second ballot for presidential electionsl
Gets rid of majority
Does not accurately represent minority parties