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Year 10

Are elections truly fair?

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Year 10

Are elections truly fair?

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In this lesson, we will explore the importance of elections to democracy. We will go on to investigate two different types of voting systems: First Past the Post and Proportional Representation.

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This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is direct democracy?
Correct answer: A form of democracy in which people decide on policy initiatives directly.
A form of democracy in which people discuss social issues.
A form of democracy where people join a political party.
Q2.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that elected representatives could not decide the will of the people the citizens should make those decisions directly.
False
Correct answer: True
Q3.
In Switzerland referendums are held at least:
Every five years
Correct answer: Four times a year
Once every 20 years
Q4.
One advantage of direct democracy is:
It can lead to voter apathy.
It leads to divisions within society.
Correct answer: It prevents a concentration of power as power is dispersed widely amongst the citizens.
Q5.
One disadvantage of direct democracy is:
Correct answer: It sometimes generates an emotional, rather than a rational, response from citizens.
People may become more politically engaged.
People may feel encouraged to learn more about politics.
Q6.
Which landmark decision was decided by a UK wide referendum?
The new Prime Minister in 2019
The suspension of Parliament in 2020
Correct answer: The UK's exit from the European Union in 2016

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the role of elections in a democracy?
Elections ensure that smaller parties are unsuccessful.
Elections ensure that the views of the public are ignored.
Correct answer: Elections ensure that the will of the majority is made clear.
Q2.
The first past the post system is:
A system of voting where the share of votes equally represent the parliamentary seats gained.
A voting system that provides voters with only one candidate to chose.
Correct answer: An electoral voting system used in UK general and local elections, where the candidate with the most votes wins.
Q3.
One advantage of using the first past the post system is:
It can allow smaller parties to succeed.
Correct answer: It is simple to understand and can produce a clear winner.
There are fewer wasted votes.
Q4.
One disadvantage of the first past the post system is:
Can produce more coalition governments.
Correct answer: Only winning votes count and so candidates may be elected on little public support.
Results are calculated quickly and announced hours after voting.
Q5.
Which statement accurately describes proportional representation (PR).
PR is a voting system in which 50% of the seats are awarded to the most popular party.
PR is a voting system in which the candidate with the most votes wins.
Correct answer: PR is a voting systems in which the share of seats a party wins matches the share of votes it receives.
Q6.
Identify two advantages of a PR system.
Correct answer: Fewer wasted votes.
Correct answer: It provides more opportunity for smaller parties to succeed.
May allow extremist parties into the political mainstream.
MPs may have no links to a constituency.