Electoral systems in America and Britain

The core of the political system is the political parties which determine the framework of other institutions governing a state. The processes of determining national leaders who undertake policy making in the matters economics, justice, and legislation rely on the framework established in its electoral system. The present paper compares the electoral systems in the US and that in the UK. The paper shall explore the frequency, election system, the election of parliament and congress among other electoral issues prevailing in the countries. Britain and the Americas Electoral systems The president in the U. The party with more elected MPs will form the executive arm of government, with the leader of the party becoming the prime minister (Keating, 1991). The UK has instituted effective financial controls during campaigns where party expenditure and private resources are highly monitored to ensure modesty and adherence to the set policies.

Alternatively, the small size of the UK necessitates the use of little funds during the campaigns period. Essentially, the UK system enables the party leader to traverse key voting constituency to win votes for their member aspirants, a practice which is common in the U. S. , which could run for as long eleven months, involve the use of much financial resources. Compared with the Britain campaigns which barely run for one month always will require little financial resources to undertake. Another element in the electoral cycle in the U. S. are the Television Debates where the presidential and other aspirants are engaged in a televised television broadcast, usually moderated by a prominent journalist. However, given the procedure for declaring the prime minister in the UK is based on the percentage of members of Parliament affiliated to a given political, the term of the prime minister is not defined.

Indeed, the UK electoral cycle could work to the advantage of an individual who serves as the prime minister: there are no set terms for the prime minister, their terms end when their party fails to win more members of parliament. The UK electoral process involves voting for the Members of Parliament whose composition of the total MPs in the Parliament determines the prime minister. The elections are done every five years unless the parliament approves otherwise. However, the U. voter turnout is averaged at 57% of the registered voters take part in every election cycle. However, in Britain, it is estimated that about 65% turns out to vote on the election day. Fundamentally, the American national election is between two main contestants: The Democrat and the Republican.

While other candidates may also register their candidature, they do not have the chance of winning any election. Contrary, the Britain, a different approach is used to determine who becomes the leader, the system favors voting for a party rather than the candidates who are vying. Unlike in the United States, the election platform (manifesto) is least binding. Otherwise, the platform is a mere declaration of issues that the elected executive government would work towards achieving given the prevailing political, social and economic conditions are favorable enough. The electoral systems in both countries differ regarding power distribution. In the U. S. party primaries are conducted to select and prepare candidates for elections. However, in Britain, there are no party primaries done to select the favorite parliamentary candidate, instead the political party officials decide on who will be vying in their party tickets.

Alternatively, for qualifications as a PPC for either the Conservatives or the Liberal Democrats, the would-be MPs are subjected to psychology tests and interviews to assess their suitability for such candidature (Lijphart and Don, 1994). The political advertisements on television are banned in Britain while in the U. S. The electoral system determines how power is distributed between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, which are the key elements in public policy and governance. The population size and stretches of the countries are critical considerations in determining the most viable approach to electoral process and the leadership structure. The aristocracy and the parliamentary system of the UK sharply contrast with the American Congress and House of Commons. Moreover, the different layers of administration in those countries play a critical part in determining the kind of electoral system they use.