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Irish Politics

Irish Politics. Parties and Voting System. Irish Political Parties by Order of Seats in Dáil Éireann. Fianna Fáil (fee-an-a-fawl): “Soldiers of Ireland” or “Soldiers of Destiney” = 80 or 90 seats Fine Gael (fin-a-gale): “Race/Tribe of Irish” = 50 or 60 seats The Labour Party = 18 or 20 seats

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Irish Politics

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  1. Irish Politics Parties and Voting System

  2. Irish Political Parties by Order of Seats in Dáil Éireann • Fianna Fáil (fee-an-a-fawl): “Soldiers of Ireland” or “Soldiers of Destiney” = 80 or 90 seats • Fine Gael (fin-a-gale): “Race/Tribe of Irish” = 50 or 60 seats • The Labour Party = 18 or 20 seats • The Green Party (Comhaontas Glas) = 6 seats • Sinn Féin (shin fayn): “Ourselves” = 5 seats • The Progressive Democrats = 2 seats • The Socialist Party = 0 seats • The Worker’s Party = 0 seats • The Socialist Worker’s Party = 0 seats

  3. Irish Terms With Translation and Pronunciation • Dáil Éireann (dawl ayrun): literally “National Assembly of Ireland”; the lower house of Parliament • Taoiseach (tee shuck): literally “Chief”; the Prime Minister of Ireland

  4. Elections and Electoral System • Sovereignty of the people is a fundamental principle of the Constitution of Ireland, which is rooted in historical experiences • The constitution can only be changed by a “yes” vote in a referendum, there have been 22 amendments to the constitution to date • Voting in elections is on the basis of proportional representation using the single transferable vote-the system which puts the most power in the hand of individual voters • Provisions of Constitution on Elections to Dáil Éireann: • all citizens, and others as determined by law, can vote, if over the age of 18 • One man/woman, one vote, secret ballot • Number of members • Not less than 1 for each 30 000 people • Not more than 1 for every 20 000 people • There are currently 166 members of the Dáil • Same Dáil not to continue for more than 7 years or shorter period fixed by law – currently 5 years • General election is to be held not later than 30 days after Dáil dissolved

  5. Dáil to be summoned and dissolved by President on advice of the Taoiseach = the latter can call an election whenever her/she wants • The President has the discretion to refuse a dissolution to a Taoiseach who no longer commands support of the Dáil • Taoiseach must resign if he/she fails to retain the support of Dáil – usually means an election • Voting system in Proportional Representation using the Single Transferable Vote • Voting Systems Generally • Two main systems • First past the post/ single member plurality with single member constituency (FPP/SMP) as in Canada, UK, Australia, India • Proportional Representation (PR)/ multi-seat constituencies (most countries) • Respective claimed advantages/ disadvantages • FPP/SMP • + Clear choice of government for voters • + strong legitimization of government • + stability of government • - poor, unfair reflection into parliament of voters preferences • - little or no power to voter to chose individuals as representatives

  6. Proportional Representation • + close reflection in parliament of voter’s preferences • + strong legitimization of parliament • + (STV Only) considerable power in voter’s hands to choose individuals as representatives • - claimed to promote the proliferation of parties and , thus, instability • - distraction of parliament from “proper” parliamentary work • Objectives aimed at in different voting systems: • (1) parliament to be broadly representative of the spectrum of political views and party allegiance of voters • (2) discouragement of the proliferation of small groups, seen as inimical to stability • (3) Maximizing of party control of parliamentary representatives • (4) Maximizing electors choice of individuals to represent constituency • These cannot all be met at the same time • Different countries prioritize different objectives • 1 above: Israel • 2 above: UK • 3 above: Italy • 4 above: Ireland

  7. List and STV systems of Proportional Representation • List system: • Variation in allocation of seats to individual candidates • Primary decision for voters is choice of party to represent area • STV system: • There is a ballot paper with a list of candidates for the area which votes mark numerically by order of preference • The primary decision for votes is the choice of individuals to represent area • Island affinity for STV system or Vice-Versa • Ireland, Malta, Tasmania, N. Ireland • Reasons for Choice of STV in Ireland • Principle of the sovereignty of the people • Emphasis on need for fairness in parliament (Catholic/ Protestant split in the North and South) • Pride of sophistication of system (and of electorate?) • Rejection of 2 proposed constitutional amendments to change to FPP/SMP in 1957 (by 52/28) and in 1966 (by 61/39) • Research shows that voters do put as least equal emphasis on candidate as on party

  8. Logic of STV system • Quota and its calculation • 50%+1 in one seat case • 33%+1 in two seat case • 25%+1 in three seat case • 20%+1 in four seat case • Proportionality reflection in results is closer, the bigger number of seats • Downsides of this are a large area to cover • Transfer of votes • From surplus over quota • From elimination • Assessment of likely results depends on: • How many quotas • How likely to attract transfers • From where transfer may come • Alphabetical Order Anomaly • Lazy voters

  9. Effects of System • Fairness Criterion • Lijphart assessment for elections held 1948-1989 • Bonuses for bigger parties, but much less than in UK system • Bonuses variation affected by voter behaviour influenced by party alignments/ strategies • Stability Criterion • Criticisms of PR: effect elsewhere (post war France, inter-war Germany, Italy) • “effective number of parties” measure (percentage of vote threshold to win seats) • Number of parties in Ireland has not lead to governmental instability or party indiscipline • Qualification to the this general rule • Unelected candidates standing as independents • Election of numerous independents (“localism”) • Effects on role and behaviour of members of parliament • The critique: too much time spent on constituency work, not enough on legislating and holding government accountable • Some reasons for focus on constituency work: • Party rivals need to differentiate: over 1922-1997, 34% of all seat loses were to party running mates, 50% in 2 biggest party, 56% in largest party • Lives and behaviours of members • The private sphere becomes public, never get a day off

  10. Proposals for change to system to improve situation of Members • Additional member system, as in Germany and New Zealand • All party committee rejected proposals • Is Clientilism all bad? • Other cultural reasons for it • Need for it – gap in the administrative system • Lots of it in other countries with various different voting systems • Candidate Balance and Vote Management • Issues around number of candidates • Criteria for selection of candidates (local registration via party HQ) • Behaviour of sitting TDs • Divisions geographically of constituency with view to vote management • Hazards of vote management

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