Compare and Contrast the Uk and Germanys Electoral Systems
Within this essay I shall compare and contrast the UK and Germanys Electoral systems. A voting system or electoral system is a method by which voters make a selection between options, generally in an election or on a policy referendum. Electoral systems can be defines as a way to determine the means by which votes are translated into seats in the process of electing politicians into office. A voting system enforces rules to ensure valid voting, and how votes are counted and totalled to produce a final result. Winners may be determined by a plurality, a majority (more than 50% of the vote), an extraordinary majority (a percentage of the vote greater than 50%), or unanimity. Candidates for public office may be elected directly or indirectly. Proportional representation is used in some areas to ensure a fairer distribution of legislative seats to constituencies that may be denied representation under the plurality or majority formulas. Common voting systems are majority rule, proportional representation or plurality voting with a number of alterations and methods such as first-past-the-post or preferential voting.
Electoral systems are designed to fulfil a number of often conflicting functions such as reflecting the wishes of voters, producing strong and stable governments, electing qualified representatives. In selecting a particular design of electoral system, the ‘electoral engineers’ have to take important decisions about which function to stress most. As a result no two countries have the same electoral system. There are many different types of electoral systems used around the world, moreover within individual countries different electoral systems may be found in different regions and at different level of government, e.g. Committees of all kinds elect new chairman and trade unions elect members to their national councils. Less frequently though there are general elections to parliament.
Electoral systems can be divided into three general types; plurality
Electoral systems are designed to fulfil a number of often conflicting functions such as reflecting the wishes of voters, producing strong and stable governments, electing qualified representatives. In selecting a particular design of electoral system, the ‘electoral engineers’ have to take important decisions about which function to stress most. As a result no two countries have the same electoral system. There are many different types of electoral systems used around the world, moreover within individual countries different electoral systems may be found in different regions and at different level of government, e.g. Committees of all kinds elect new chairman and trade unions elect members to their national councils. Less frequently though there are general elections to parliament.
Electoral systems can be divided into three general types; plurality
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