Recategorising Electoral Systems Analytically and Judging Some Undemocratic (Or Learning from an Australian Mistake.
Date
2012
Authors
Sanders, Will
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International Political Science Association
Abstract
Political science has distinguished between plurality, majority and proportional representation electoral systems. The argument is that this categorization is insufficiently analytic: it mixes outcome considerations, about how votes are translated into seats, with issues of the internal mechanics of electoral systems. A more analytic approach is developed in which proportional representation systems are divided into two groups following internal mechanics; a highest average (quotient) group and a quota and largest remainder group. The quotient group is argued to be an adaptation of the plurality electoral formula to multimember districts, while the quota group is a similar adaptation of the majority formula. The paper thus constructs taxonomic trees of just two analytic families of electoral systems in common use in both single and multi-member districts: the plurality and quota families. The paper also identifies numbers of votes given to electors as a missing analytic variable. Single vote systems are defended as reasonable adaptations to multimember districts in both analytic families. But adaptations which give electors multiple votes – such as the block vote, the limited vote and preferential block (majority) – are condemned as mistaken and undemocratic. An Australian example of absurd outcomes from preferential block (majority) is used to substantiate this judgment.
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Proceedings of IPSA World Congress of Political Science
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Conference paper
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2037-12-31
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