Proportional Representation - Election And Representation | Class 11 Political Science

Summary

In this video, the presenter explains the concept of proportional representation in elections, comparing it with other systems like the first-past-the-post method. The script highlights how proportional representation allocates seats based on the proportion of votes received by political parties. Examples from Israel and the Netherlands illustrate how this system functions, with a focus on the different variants used in these countries. The video also touches upon the modified version of proportional representation used in India, leaving viewers with a deeper understanding of how this system works globally and its potential impact on India’s electoral landscape.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video discusses the concept of Proportional Representation in the context of election systems in India.
• 😀 The First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system was previously discussed, explaining its simplicity and widespread use in India, particularly in Lok Sabha elections.
• 😀 Proportional Representation (PR) is introduced as a system where seats are allocated based on the proportion of votes a political party receives.
• 😀 In PR, political parties receive seats according to the percentage of votes they get, unlike FPTP where the candidate with the most votes wins a seat.
• 😀 The video highlights that PR ensures all parties get a fair share of seats based on their vote proportion, leading to a more inclusive government formation.
• 😀 The PR system has two variants: one treats the entire country as a single constituency, and the other divides the country into multiple constituencies.
• 😀 Israel and the Netherlands follow the first variant of PR, where the entire country is treated as one constituency, and seats are allocated based on the total percentage of votes received by each party.
• 😀 Argentina and other countries use the second variant, dividing the country into multiple constituencies with multiple representatives per constituency.
• 😀 In the single constituency PR system, the percentage of votes a party receives across the country directly correlates with the percentage of seats they get in the government.
• 😀 The video concludes by suggesting that India's PR system follows a modified version of these global models, with further discussions expected in the next video, focusing on Brazil and Israel's PR systems.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is 'Proportional Representation' in the context of election systems in India and globally.

What is 'First-Past-The-Post' (FPTP) system?

'First-Past-The-Post' is a simple electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins, often used in Lok Sabha and state assembly elections in India.

How does Proportional Representation work in elections?

In Proportional Representation, seats are allocated to political parties based on the proportion of votes they receive, rather than the candidate with the most votes winning all the seats.

What is a key difference between FPTP and Proportional Representation?

In FPTP, the candidate with the most votes wins, while in Proportional Representation, seats are distributed according to the proportion of votes each party receives.

How is the Proportional Representation system modified in India?

India has a modified version of Proportional Representation, where a combination of single-member constituencies and multi-member constituencies is used to elect representatives.

Can you explain the concept of a 'single-member constituency'?

A single-member constituency is a voting area where one representative is elected. The winner is simply the candidate with the most votes in that area.

What are the two variants of Proportional Representation?

The two variants are the 'Single-National Constituency' model, followed in countries like Israel and the Netherlands, and the 'Multi-Member Constituency' model, used in countries like Argentina.

How does Proportional Representation work in Israel and the Netherlands?

In Israel and the Netherlands, the entire country is treated as one constituency, and seats are allocated based on the proportion of votes each party receives nationally.

What is the significance of the 'Multi-Member Constituency' model?

In the 'Multi-Member Constituency' model, the country is divided into multiple constituencies, and each constituency elects more than one representative. The seats are allocated based on the proportion of votes each party receives in each constituency.

Which countries use the 'Multi-Member Constituency' model?

Countries like Argentina and several other Latin American nations use the 'Multi-Member Constituency' model, where the country is divided into several constituencies, each electing multiple representatives.