October 25, Slides 9-10 Flashcards
What does Proportional Representation tend to create in terms of party systems?
Proportional Representation (PR) tends to create multiparty systems, where more parties have representation in the legislature. For example, Israel has 18 parties represented in its 120-seat legislature.
How does Proportional Representation affect voter behavior?
PR reduces the incentive for “strategic voting,” allowing voters to choose candidates or parties that align closely with their principles and ideology without fear of “wasting” their vote.
Why are coalition governments common under Proportional Representation?
PR often results in no single party gaining a majority, leading to coalition governments where multiple parties must cooperate to form a ruling majority. This can sometimes cause political instability.
What is an example of political instability caused by Proportional Representation?
Italy’s PR system from 1946-1994 saw ~50 changes in government, with the first 42 governments (1946-1991) all led by the Christian Democratic Party despite other parties like the PCI receiving 25-40% of votes.
How does Proportional Representation influence the stability of voting patterns?
PR promotes more stable voting patterns because voters are not pressured to compromise their principles, unlike systems like SMP, where strategic voting is more prevalent.
What historical issue arose in Italy under Proportional Representation?
From 1946-1994, Italy’s almost “pure” PR system resulted in frequent changes in government and the exclusion of significant parties, like the PCI, from government despite consistently receiving 25-40% of votes.
What is an example of a country where Proportional Representation creates challenges in government stability?
In Israel, the multiparty system created by PR often leads to fragmented legislatures and the necessity for coalition governments, which can be less stable over time.
What does Pippa Norris suggest about the creation of electoral systems?
Pippa Norris argues that electoral systems are rarely the result of deliberate design. Instead, they emerge from messy, incremental compromises shaped by power politics and battles for survival among competing factions.
Why are electoral systems considered products of compromise?
Electoral systems arise from the need to balance the interests of contending factions. Their creation reflects the dynamics of power politics, often involving negotiations and concessions to address competing demands for representation and political survival.
How does power politics influence the formation of electoral systems?
Power politics determines electoral systems by shaping the compromises between groups vying for influence. These systems reflect the interests of powerful factions and are often the outcome of tactical adjustments rather than deliberate, rational planning.