Elections based on a plurality system discourage new parties from forming because

I think it's C. Is this correct please?
a. a plurality system discourages patronage and reduces voter interest in joining a party
b. a plurality system requires parties to form alliances with other parties to win elections
c. under this winner-take-all system, no incentive is given for finishing second (or lower)
d. a plurality system requires each party to be as narrowly based as possible, leaving little room for new parties
e. a plurality system gives an advantage to savvy political unknowns who can grab the media spotlight

Yes, c.

Thank you!

You're welcome.

The correct answer to the question is c. Under the plurality system, no incentive is given for finishing second (or lower). This means that only the candidate or party that receives the most votes, regardless of the margin, wins the election. This can lead to a situation where the winner takes all, and all other candidates or parties receive no representation or power.

To arrive at this answer, you can examine the characteristics of the plurality system and think about how they can affect the formation of new parties. In a plurality system, parties compete against each other for votes, and the party or candidate with the highest number of votes wins. This can create a dynamic where new parties face significant challenges in gaining electoral support, as they would need to compete with established parties with established voter bases.

Furthermore, in a plurality system, there is no incentive or reward for a party that finishes second or lower. Even if a new party manages to gain a significant portion of the vote, it may not receive any representation or power if it does not achieve the most votes. This lack of incentive can discourage new parties from emerging, as they may perceive their chances of success to be limited.

Therefore, option c is the correct answer as it describes a key factor in why new parties may be discouraged from forming under a plurality system.