Synopses & Reviews
'The most fundamental element of representative democracy is the electoral system--translating citizens\' votes into representatives\' seats. Electoral systems are also the most practical and accessible instrument available to democratic reformers. This systematic and comprehensive study
describes and classifies 70 electoral systems used by 27 democracies including those of Western Europe, the United States, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, India, Israel, Japan, and New Zealand. Using comparative and statistical analysis of these systems, Arend Lijphart demonstrates the effect of the
electoral formula used, the number of representatives elected per district, electoral thresholds, and five other key features of electoral systems on the proportionality of the election outcome, the degree of multipartisanism, and the creation of majority parties. In the process, he reveals that
electoral systems are neither as diverse nor as complex as is usually assumed. The most definitive treatment of the subject since Rae\'s classic study in 1967, this book is based on more accurate and comprehensive data covering more countries and a longer time-span and uses stronger hypotheses and
better analytical methods. The unique information and analysis it offers will make it essential reading for scholars and students of comparative politics.'
Review
"Lijphart stands atop the field of comparative electoral system analysis. His research during the past quarter century has broadened, deepened, and refined our understanding of the critical linkage between electoral systems and the political consequences for party systems that follow for advanced industrial democracies."--Choice
Review
"Lijphart stands atop the field of comparative electoral system analysis. His research during the past quarter century has broadened, deepened, and refined our understanding of the critical linkage between electoral systems and the political consequences for party systems that follow for advanced industrial democracies."--Choice
Synopsis
The most fundamental element of representative democracy is the electoral system--translating citizens' votes into representatives' seats. Electoral systems are also the most practical and accessible instrument available to democratic reformers. This systematic and comprehensive study describes and classifies 70 electoral systems used by 27 democracies including those of Western Europe, the United States, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, India, Israel, Japan, and New Zealand. Using comparative and statistical analysis of these systems, Arend Lijphart demonstrates the effect of the electoral formula used, the number of representatives elected per district, electoral thresholds, and five other key features of electoral systems on the proportionality of the election outcome, the degree of multipartisanism, and the creation of majority parties. In the process, he reveals that electoral systems are neither as diverse nor as complex as is usually assumed. The most definitive treatment of the subject since Rae's classic study in 1967, this book is based on more accurate and comprehensive data covering more countries and a longer time-span and uses stronger hypotheses and better analytical methods. The unique information and analysis it offers will make it essential reading for scholars and students of comparative politics.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [195]-203) and index.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction: Goals and Methods
2. Electoral Systems: Types, Patterns, Trends
3. Disproportionality, Multipartism, and Majority Victories
4. Changes in Election Rules Between Systems in the Same Country
5. Bivariate and Multivariate Analyses
6. Four Other Potential Explanations
Appendices:
A: Proportional Representation Formulas
B: Indices of Disproportionality and Party System Characteristics
C: Data: Sources, Additions, corrections, Clarifications