UK A-Levels Politics Practice Exam

The primary advantage of a proportional representation system like AMS is what?

1. Greater party competitiveness

2. Lesser chance of coalition governments

3. Increased voter participation

4. More accurate representation of public preferences

The correct answer is: More accurate representation of public preferences

The primary advantage of a proportional representation system like the additional member system (AMS) is that it allows for more accurate representation of public preferences. In such a system, the allocation of seats in the legislature reflects the proportion of votes that each party receives. This contrasts with winner-takes-all systems, where a party might win a large number of votes but secure very few seats if they do not achieve a majority in particular constituencies. Because AMS combines both constituency representation and proportional representation through party lists, it captures a broader spectrum of voter opinions. This can lead to a more diverse range of parties in the legislature and ensures that minority viewpoints are represented alongside majority preferences. Thus, the electoral outcomes better mirror the political views of the electorate as expressed in their votes, enhancing the democratic legitimacy of the government. While options like greater party competitiveness and increased voter participation can also be benefits of certain electoral systems, they do not directly address the fundamental function of proportional representation, which is to ensure that the various political preferences within the electorate are reflected in the decision-making bodies of government. Additionally, coalition governments can often arise from systems with proportional representation, as multiple parties may need to collaborate to achieve a majority, making it less relevant to the context of AMS and its primary advantages