Political Science 1020E Lecture 13: Lecture 13

• School: Western University
• Department: Political Science
• Course: Political Science 1020E
• Professor: Nigmendra Narain

Document Summary

Outline the institutional compromise we call representative democracy. Distinguish between majoritarian and proportional representation system in general. Liberal democracy: who should be subject to election: parties and policymakers, not bureaucrats, usually not judges, not ceos, doctors, etc. How: universal suffrage, secret ballot, competitive election, a free and independent society. Top down: strengthen elites channel popular discontent, sustain democracy governments change, not regime. In single member districts (smd: winner takes all. Proportional representation: choose parities (perhaps also candidates rank order) In multi-member districts (mmd: winner takes some. Pro: districts with own representatives, strong and stable single-party governments. Con: disproportionate results, manufactures governing majorities, (cid:862)wasted(cid:863) (cid:448)otes. Second round: usually get a majority because: only two candidates go forward, weaker ones out, the rest consolidate left right. Pro: majorities enhance legitimacy, parties broaden base of support. Con: only a bit fairer to small parties, will people show up for round two. If (cid:374)o (cid:373)ajority, (cid:271)otto(cid:373) (cid:272)a(cid:374)didate dropped, (cid:448)oters" se(cid:272)o(cid:374)d (cid:272)hoi(cid:272)es (cid:272)ou(cid:374)ted.