Electoral Systems and Party Systems: A Study of Twenty-Seven Democracies, 1945-1990 (Comparative European Politics)

By Arend Lijphart

Book 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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0198280548
• ISBN13: 9780198280545
• Release Date: September 1995
• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Length: 228 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Influence of Institutional Structure on Political Systems

This book is just one of Lijphart's works to provide an excellent analysis of the impact of the shape of institutional structures on the behavior of political systems. A very useful read for anyone wishing to understand the new institutionalist approach to political science, as well as for anyone seeking a more particular understanding of electoral systems and the variables of such systems having a significant impact on the structure of political party systems, electoral outcomes, and legislative processes.

The classic work for election systems

The best coparative study for European and pther countries electorial systems. Great!