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Which are the main characteristics of the American national electoral system?

a) Proportional Representation
b) Multiparty System
c) First-Past-The-Post
d) Coalition Governments

User Borisbn
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The American national electoral system is characterized by a plurality or First-Past-The-Post voting system and the Electoral College, fostering a two-party system. Proportional Representation, a Multiparty System, and Coalition Governments are not common characteristics of the U.S. electoral model.

Step-by-step explanation:

The main characteristics of the American national electoral system consist primarily of a plurality or First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) voting system. In this system, voters cast their votes directly for the candidate of their choice, and the one with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they have the majority of votes. This characteristic plays a significant role in cementing the United States as a two-party system, typically dominated by the Democrats and the Republicans, as it is challenging for third parties to gain substantial power.

Moreover, the Electoral College is a unique feature of the American presidential election system, where electors indirectly elect the president based on the plurality of votes in their respective states, with most states adhering to a winner-take-all allocation of their electoral votes.

Contrastingly, a Proportional Representation system allocates seats based on the percentage of votes each party receives, promoting a multiparty system, which is not a feature of the US electoral model. Additionally, Coalition Governments and a Multiparty System are more likely to form under proportional systems, which are not commonly associated with the US political landscape.

While some nations employ coalition governments as a norm due to their parliamentary system structure, the U.S. generally does not. Hence, from the given options, the U.S. national electoral system is characterized by First-Past-The-Post voting.

User LStrike
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