DSPO 25A73 - Political consequences of electoral systems

Elections are a defining feature of democracies. But they can be designed in different ways. Specific rules are required: Can citizens vote for one or multiple candidates? How are votes counted and aggregated? How are electoral districts divided? Etc. This seminar will introduce different types of electoral systems, including the main categories of majoritarian, proportional, and mixed systems, and highlighting the significant variety of rules within each. Additionally, we will explore how electoral systems are not neutral: they can influence the behaviour of voters and parties, and can shape the quality of political representation (e.g., representation of women, degree of congruence between citizens' preferences and government decisions). Finally, we will consider current debates on electoral system reforms, and new electoral systems that propose to improve democratic representation.
Romain LACHAT
Séminaire
English
Spring 2024-2025
- Active participation in the seminar discussions (10% of final grade) - Preparation of the readings (10%) - A critical summary of one of the compulsory readings (30%), - A term paper (50%).
The list of compulsory readings will be distributed at the start of the semester. Works of reference on the topic of electoral systems and their effects include:
Carter, Elisabeth, David M. Farrell, and Gemma Loomes. 2024. Electoral Systems: A Global Perspective. London: Bloomsbury.
Farrell, David M. 2011. Electoral Systems: A Comparative Introduction. 2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Herron, Erik S., Robert J. Pekkanen, and Matthew S. Shugart. 2018. The Oxford Handbook of Electoral Systems. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Norris, Pippa. 2004. Electoral Engineering: Voting Rules and Political Behavior. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.