Electoral Systems and Party Systems: A Study of Twenty-Seven Democracies, 1945-1990

by Arend Lijphart

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198280545
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	09/07/1995
Series:	Comparative Politics
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	228
Product dimensions:	8.44(w) x 5.44(h) x 0.58(d)
Lexile:	1530L (what's this?)

About the Author

University of California, San Diego

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Goals and Methods2. Electoral Systems: Types, Patterns, Trends3. Disproportionality, Multipartism, and Majority Victories4. Changes in Election Rules Between Systems in the Same Country5. Bivariate and Multivariate Analyses6. Four Other Potential ExplanationsAppendices:A: Proportional Representation FormulasB: Indices of Disproportionality and Party System CharacteristicsC: Data: Sources, Additions, corrections, Clarifications

Editorial Reviews

"Lijphart stands atop the field of comparative electoral system analysis."—Choice

From the Publisher