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

Arend Lijphart (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198280548 | ISBN-13: 978-0198280545 | Publication Date: September 7, 1995

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Lijphart stands atop the field of comparative electoral system analysis."--Choice

About the Author

Arend Lijphart is President-Elect of the American Political Science Association and is the author of a large number of other books including: Power-Sharing in South Africa (University of California, 1985) Democracies: Patterns of Majoritarian and Consensus Government in 21 Countries (Yale University Press, 1984 [new ed. forthcoming]) Electoral Laws and their Political Consequences (ed. with Bernard Grofman, Agathon Press, 1986) Choosing an Electoral System: Issues and Alternatives (ed. with Bernard Grofman, Praeger, 1984) Parliamentary vs Presidential Government (ed, OUP, 1992)

Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (September 7, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198280548
• ISBN-13: 978-0198280545
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,204,581 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Influence of Institutional Structure on Political Systems, May 20, 2002

By 

Jonathan W. Riggs (Chicago, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Electoral Systems and Party Systems: A Study of Twenty-Seven Democracies, 1945-1990 (Comparative Politics) (Paperback)

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.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The classic work for election systems, June 11, 2000

By 

TORDAI, Csaba (Budapest, Hungary) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Electoral Systems and Party Systems: A Study of Twenty-Seven Democracies, 1945-1990 (Comparative Politics) (Paperback)

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