A Level Politics – Comparing Electoral and Party Systems - Comparing elections and electoral systems in the UK and the USA

A Level Politics – Comparing Electoral and Party Systems - Comparing elections and electoral systems in the UK and the USA

UK vs. USA Elections and Electoral Systems
This guide compares the structure of elections and electoral systems in the UK and the USA, highlighting key differences and similarities.
I. Terms of Office:

• Fixed Terms: Both countries have fixed terms for elected officials. However, the length and amendment process differ significantly.
  • USA: Term lengths are constitutionally enshrined (e.g., 6 years for Senators). Changing them requires a constitutional amendment – a difficult process. Presidential term limits (two terms) are also constitutionally mandated.
  • UK: Term lengths are determined by Acts of Parliament (currently 5 years for MPs, previously 7 under the Septennial Act 1716). Changes are simpler to implement. No term limits exist for the Prime Minister. This leads to significantly longer periods of leadership compared to the US.
• Key Difference: The flexibility in amending term lengths in the UK contrasts sharply with the rigidity of the US Constitution. This impacts the potential for political reform and the duration of leadership.

II. Elections and Elected Posts:

• Quantity: The USA has considerably more elections and elected posts than the UK.
  • USA: Features primary elections to select candidates, a widespread system absent in the UK (except for limited instances). A vast array of local offices exists (mayors, school board officials, sheriffs, etc.), along with state-level elections (governor, state legislature). State-level offices hold considerable power due to federalism.
  • UK: While national (Parliament) and local council elections exist, the number of elected positions pales in comparison to the US. Devolution has introduced more elections in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, but the difference remains substantial.
• Key Difference: The sheer volume of elections and elected offices in the US reflects its federal structure and greater decentralization of power. The UK system, while increasingly decentralized through devolution, retains a more centralized approach.

III. Electoral Systems:

• Dominant System: Both countries primarily use a majoritarian or first-past-the-post (FPTP) system for their national legislatures (House of Commons and Congress, with the exception of Maine's ranked-choice voting).
• System Variation: The UK exhibits greater variety in electoral systems.
  • UK: Regional assemblies and (formerly) European Parliament elections utilize other systems, including the Additional Member System (AMS) and Single Transferable Vote (STV). This leads to coalition or minority governments in devolved assemblies.
  • USA: Essentially uniform use of FPTP across all levels of national government, typically resulting in single-party majority governments.
• Key Difference: The UK's diverse electoral systems create opportunities for diverse representation and coalition governments, whereas the US system usually results in a single-party government reflecting the national popular vote distribution.

In summary: The UK and US systems, while both democratic, differ significantly in the structure of their elections and electoral systems. The US system is characterized by a greater number of elections and elected posts, a more fixed constitutional structure, and a near-universal reliance on FPTP. The UK system, while largely FPTP at the national level, displays more flexibility in term lengths and employs a wider range of electoral systems, resulting in a more diverse representation across the country.

​To learn more about A Level Politics Click Here