The Impact of Voting Systems on Political Party Representation in America

The video explores why America has a two-party system, focusing on Duverger's Law, which suggests that the voting method influences the number of parties. It explains the challenges of plurality voting for smaller parties and introduces alternative methods like approval voting and proportional representation, which can provide better representation for third parties. The video concludes that plurality voting supports a two-party system, while proportional representation encourages a multi-party system.

What does Duverger's Law suggest about the influence on the number of political parties?

• The number of parties is influenced by the cultural diversity of the country.

• The number of parties is influenced by the country's population.

• The number of parties is influenced by the voting method used.

• The number of parties is influenced by the economic status of the country.

In a plurality voting system, why might voters avoid choosing smaller parties?

• Because smaller parties are not allowed to participate.

• Because voters are required to vote for the most popular candidate.

• Because voters fear wasting their vote or causing a spoiler effect.

• Because smaller parties do not have any policies.

What is a disadvantage of plurality voting for smaller parties?

• It allows smaller parties to easily win seats.

• It discourages voting for smaller parties due to high winning thresholds.

• It provides equal representation to all parties.

• It requires voters to vote for multiple candidates.

What is the effect of plurality voting on the representation of third parties?

• It ensures equal representation for all parties.

• It often results in no representation for third parties.

• It guarantees third parties a minimum number of seats.

• It allows third parties to dominate the election.

How does approval voting differ from plurality voting?

• Approval voting is only used in local elections.

• Approval voting allows voters to select multiple candidates they approve of.

• Approval voting requires voters to rank candidates in order of preference.

• Approval voting limits voters to only one choice.

How does approval voting address the psychological problem of voting against one's favorite candidate?

• By requiring voters to rank candidates.

• By forcing voters to choose only one candidate.

• By eliminating smaller parties from the ballot.

• By allowing voters to express approval for multiple candidates.

What is a key feature of proportional representation?

• It combines multiple single-winner districts into multi-winner districts.

• It requires a candidate to have the most votes in a district to win.

• It limits the number of parties that can participate.

• It is only applicable in presidential elections.

Why does proportional representation encourage more honest voting?

• Because it mandates voters to vote for all candidates.

• Because it allows voters to vote anonymously.

• Because it requires voters to pay a fee to vote.

• Because it lowers the threshold for smaller parties to gain seats.

What is the main advantage of proportional representation over plurality voting?

• It provides representation based on vote proportions, not just majorities.

• It increases the number of single-winner districts.

• It requires voters to vote for all candidates.

• It limits the number of parties that can participate.

What conclusion can be drawn about plurality voting from the recap?

• It is the most fair voting system.

• It encourages a multi-party system.

• It supports a two-party duopoly.

• It eliminates the need for elections.