The Politics of Electoral Systems

by Gallagher, Michael; Mitchell, Paul

• ISBN13: 9780199257560
• ISBN10: 0199257566
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-02-23
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Electoral systems matter. They are a crucial link in the chain connecting the preferences of citizens to the policy choices made by governments. They are chosen by political actors and, once in existence, have political consequences for those actors. They are an important object of study for anyone interested in the political process, and in this book we subject them to systematic analysis. In addition to some comparative chapters, the book contains full accounts of the operation of electoral systems in 22 countries: in addition to 11 from Western Europe, the book includes, Hungary, Russia, Australia, Canada, India, the USA, Japan, New Zealand, Israel, Chile and South Africa. The book provides detailed analyses of the operation of a diverse set of electoral systems in their national context. Each chapter explains how the electoral system really works in the given country, examining the strategic incentives the system provides to voters, candidates, and parties. All country chapters have a common format and structure. Successive sections analyse: the institutional context; how each electoral system was chosen historically; how the current electoral system operates (the rules, mechanics, and ballot structure); and the political consequences of the current system (the impact on the party system, the internal life of parties, and the impact on parliament and government formation). Each country chapter then contains a final section which focuses on the politicization of electoral institutions. In recent years many countries have changed their electoral systems, either entirely or in part so there is a strong focus on the processes of electoral reform, both historically and prospectively. The book concentrates on the real world 'politics', as well as the 'political science' of electoral systems. The book will be of interest to those concerned with the practical political business of electoral reform. The book contains a wealth of evidence about the performance of various kinds of proportional representation and of non-PR systems. This will be invaluable for anyone interested in the question: 'What would be the best electoral system for my country?

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
Arend Lijphart
Preface	xi
List of Tables	xvii
List of Figures	xxi
Notes on Contributors	xxii
I. Introduction: Electoral Systems and Electoral Systems Research
Introduction to Electoral Systems	3	(22)
Michael Gallagher
Paul Mitchell
Comparative Electoral Systems Research: The Maturation of a Field and New Challenges Ahead	25	(32)
Matthew Soberg Shugart
Why are There so Many (or so Few) Electoral Reforms?	57	(22)
Richard S. Katz
II. Single-Member Constituency Systems
Australia: The Alternative Vote in a Compliant Political Culture	79	(20)
David M. Farrell
Ian McAllister
Canada: Sticking to First-Past-the-Post, for the Time Being	99	(20)
Louis Massicotte
France: Stacking the Deck	119	(18)
Robert Elgie
India: Two-Party Contests within a Multiparty System	137	(20)
Anthony Heath
Siana Glouharova
Oliver Heath
The United Kingdom: Plurality Rule under Siege	157	(28)
Paul Mitchell
The United States of America: Perpetual Campaigning in the Absence of Competition	185	(24)
Shaun Bowler
Todd Donovan
Jennifer Van Heerde
III. Mixed Systems
Germany: Stability and Strategy in a Mixed-Member Proportional System	209	(22)
Thomas Saalfeld
Hungary: Holding back the Tiers	231	(22)
Kenneth Benoit
Italy: A Case of Fragmented Bipolarism	253	(24)
Roberto D'Alimonte
Japan: Haltingly Toward a Two-Party System	277	(18)
Steven R. Reed
New Zealand: The Consolidation of Reform?	295	(18)
Jack Vowles
Russia: The Authoritarian Adaptation of an Electoral System	313	(20)
Stephen White
IV. Closed-List Systems
Israel: The Politics of an Extreme Electoral System	333	(20)
Gideon Rahat
Reuven Y. Hazan
South Africa: One Party Dominance Despite Perfect Proportionality	353	(22)
Amanda Gouws
Paul Mitchell
Spain: Proportional Representation with Majoritarian Outcomes	375	(22)
Jonathan Hopkin
V. Preferential List Systems and PR-STV
Austria: A Complex Electoral System with Subtle Effects	397	(20)
Wolfgang C. Muller
Belgium: Empowering Voters or Party Elites?	417	(16)
Lieven De Winter
Chile: The Unexpected (and Expected) Consequences of Electoral Engineering	433	(20)
Peter M. Siavelis
Denmark: Simplicity Embedded in Complexity (or Is it the Other Way Round?)	453	(20)
Jorgen Elklit
Finland: One Hundred Years of Quietude	473	(18)
Tapio Raunio
The Netherlands: The Sanctity of Proportionality	491	(20)
Rudy B. Andeweg
Ireland: The Discreet Charm of PR-STV	511	(24)
Michael Gallagher
VI. Conclusion
Conclusion	535	(44)
Michael Gallagher
Appendix A: The Mechanics of Electoral Systems	579	(19)
Appendix B: Indices of Fragmentation and Disproportionality	598	(9)
Appendix C: Effective Threshold and Effective Magnitude	607	(14)
Appendix D: Values of Indices for 22 Countries at Most Recent Election	621	(1)
Appendix E: Websites Related to Elections, Election Results and Electoral Systems	622	(9)
Glossary	631	(6)
Abbreviations	637	(2)
Index	639