single-member system
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A single-member system is an electoral system based on the principle of having only one representative or member (as of a legislature) selected from each electoral district. It is a winner-takes-all system where the candidate who receives the most votes in a district wins the seat.
Usage
The term is used in political science and discussions of government to describe a specific method of electing representatives. * The country adopted a single-member system to simplify elections and create a direct link between constituents and their representative. * Critics of the single-member system argue it can lead to a two-party dominance and underrepresentation of smaller political groups.
Advanced Usage
- "First-past-the-post (FPTP)": This is the most common type of single-member system, where the candidate with a plurality (the most votes, not necessarily a majority) wins.
- The United Kingdom uses a first-past-the-post single-member system for electing Members of Parliament.
Variants and Related Words
- Single-member district: The electoral district itself from which only one member is elected.
- Each state is divided into multiple single-member districts for congressional elections.
- Multi-member system / Proportional representation: The contrasting electoral system where multiple representatives are elected from a larger district, typically in proportion to the votes received by each party.
Synonyms
- Plurality system
- Winner-takes-all system (in the context of legislative elections)
- First-past-the-post (FPTP) system (a specific type)
Antonyms
- Multi-member system
- Proportional representation (PR)
- At-large election (when multiple members are elected from a single, undivided district)
Noun
- based on the principle of having only one member (as of a legislature) selected from each electoral district