📋 Written Ability Test (WAT)/Essay Analysis Guide: Should Governments Adopt Proportional Representation to Improve the Fairness of Elections?

🌐 Understanding Proportional Representation’s Importance

Proportional representation (PR) fosters political inclusivity, addressing the gap in representation in majoritarian systems. Its relevance extends to political science, governance, and democratic sustainability.

📑 Effective Planning and Writing

• ⏱️ Time Allocation:
  • Planning: 5 minutes
  • Writing: 20 minutes
  • Review: 5 minutes
• 📝 Structure:
  • Introduction: 60 words
  • Body: 350 words
  • Conclusion: 60 words

💡 Introduction Techniques for Essays

1. Contrast Approach: “In first-past-the-post systems, majority governments often emerge without a majority vote. PR offers a remedy to this democratic imbalance.”
2. Historical Approach: “PR has evolved from Europe’s democratic experiments to a global standard for equitable representation.”

📋 Structuring the Essay Body

• 🏆 Achievements: Highlight PR’s inclusivity and reduced vote wastage, supported by examples (e.g., South Africa).
• ⚠️ Challenges: Discuss complexity, potential governance delays, and accountability issues.
• 🌟 Future Outlook: Explore hybrid models like mixed-member proportional systems as a middle path.

📄 Concluding Effectively

• Balanced Perspective: “PR offers fairness but must be adapted for specific contexts to balance inclusivity with efficiency.”
• Global Examples: “Countries like Germany demonstrate PR’s potential, but tailored solutions are essential for large, diverse nations.”

📊 Analyzing Successes and Shortcomings

• 🏅 Achievements: Enhanced minority representation, diversified policymaking.
• ⚠️ Challenges: Complexity, governance delays.
• 🌍 Global Context: Compare PR’s success in Germany vs. UK’s retention of FPTP.

🚀 Recommendations for Sustainable Progress

1. 📋 Gradual adoption via pilot projects.
2. 📢 Public awareness campaigns on PR benefits.
3. 🏛️ Institutional support for coalition management.

📋 Sample Short Essays

• Balanced Perspective:
  

  “Proportional representation balances voter preferences with policy inclusivity, provided nations overcome its logistical challenges.”

• Solution-Oriented:
  

  “Hybrid systems combining FPTP and PR can optimize representation while retaining simplicity.”

• Global Comparison:
  

  “PR’s success in Germany and challenges in Israel highlight the need for contextual customization in electoral reforms.”

📄 Source: WAT and GD preparation frameworks, 2024.