Do Large Electoral Districts Always Increase Proportionality Of Elections? A New Evidence From The Polish Parliamentary Elections

Michalak, Bartłomiej

Abstract

: Traditional studies on political consequences of electoral systems were recognising electoral formula as the most important variable responsible for the consequences generated by a given electoral system. Meanwhile, recent studies suggest that the impact of this variable is defi nitely overrated. The article shows how the number of seats won in electoral districts affects the political parties and their candidates' chances of winning both in the proportional representation voting systems as well as in the majority and plurality ones. Using the examples of Polish parliamentary elections, the present paper both examines the thesis according to which larger electoral districts always increase proportionality and identifi es the conditions under which the thesis finds its application.

Keywords

electoral systems (2)district magnitude (1)electoral formula (1)proportionality of election results (1)elections in Poland (1)

References

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APA style

Michalak, Bartłomiej (2016). Do Large Electoral Districts Always Increase Proportionality Of Elections? A New Evidence From The Polish Parliamentary Elections. (2016). Do Large Electoral Districts Always Increase Proportionality Of Elections? A New Evidence From The Polish Parliamentary Elections. Decyzje, (25), 67-82. https://doi.org/10.7206/DEC.1733-0092.71 (Original work published 06/2016AD)

MLA style

Michalak, Bartłomiej. “Do Large Electoral Districts Always Increase Proportionality Of Elections? A New Evidence From The Polish Parliamentary Elections”. 06/2016AD. Decyzje, no. 25, 2016, pp. 67-82.

Chicago style

Michalak, Bartłomiej. “Do Large Electoral Districts Always Increase Proportionality Of Elections? A New Evidence From The Polish Parliamentary Elections”. Decyzje, Decyzje, no. 25 (2016): 67-82. doi:10.7206/DEC.1733-0092.71.

Copyright info

CC-BY

[1] Benoit, K. (2000). Which Electoral Formula Is the Most Proportional? A New Look with New Evidence. Political Analysis, 8(4), 381-388. [Google Scholar]

[2] Benoit, K. (2001). District magnitude, electoral formula, and the number of parties. European Journal of Political Research, 39(2), 203-224. [Google Scholar]

[3] Carter, E., Farrell, D.M. (2010). Electoral Systems and Election Management. W: L. LeDuc, R. Niemi, P. Norris, Comparing Democracies: Elections and Voting in the 21st Century. 1 Oliver’s Yard, 55 City Road, London EC1Y 1SP United Kingdom: SAGE Publications Ltd., 25-44. [Google Scholar]

[4] Farrell, D. (2001). Electoral Systems. A Comparative Introduction. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. [Google Scholar]

[5] Gallagher, M. (1991). Proportionality Disproportionality and Electoral Systems. Electoral Studies, 10, 33-51. [Google Scholar]

[6] Haman, J. (2003). Demokracja. Decyzje. Wybory. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Scholar. [Google Scholar]

[7] Jarentowski, M. (2009). Wielopoziomowe okręgi wyborcze w systemie proporcjonalnym, W: J. Błuszkowski, J. Zaleśny (red.), Wielowymiarowość systemów politycznych. Teoretyczne założenia i praktyczne uwarunkowania. Warszawa: Dom Wydawniczy Elipsa. [Google Scholar]

[8] Jarentowski, M. (2011). Zmiana systemu wyborczego do Senatu RP z 2011 roku. Przegląd Sejmowy, 4, 33-48. [Google Scholar]

[9] Lijphart, A. (1994). Electoral Systems and Party Systems. A Study of Twenty-Seven Democracies 19451990. Oxford: Oxford University Press. [Google Scholar]

[10] Lijphart, A. (1990). The Political Consequences of Electoral Laws, 1945-85. The American Political Science Review, 84, 481-496. [Google Scholar]

[11] Lijphart, A. (1999). Patterns of Democracy. Government Forms and Performance in Thirty-Six Countries. New Haven-London: Yale University Press. [Google Scholar]

[12] Mackenzie, W.J.M. (1958). Free Elections. An Elementary Textbook. New York: Rinehart and Co. [Google Scholar]

[13] Michalak, B. (2013). Mieszane systemy wyborcze. Cele, rozwiązania, konsekwencje. Toruń: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika. [Google Scholar]

[14] Nohlen, D. (2004). Prawo wyborcze i system partyjny. O teorii systemów wyborczych. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Scholar. [Google Scholar]

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