Real Choices/ New Voices (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The frustration election system is unfair, outmoded, and undemocratic..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Great Britain, New Zealand (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Amy makes the case that American politics can be re-energized by adopting proportional representation, the method by which most Western democracies vote. . . . 'It is time for this debate to begin,' Mr. Amy believes. This book could help begin it. -- New York Times Book Review

Product Description

Amy persuasively argues that plurality rules are unfair, outmoded, and undemocratic and that the United States should adopt a different electoral system--proportional representation--by which officials are elected in large, multimember districts according to the proportion of the vote won by their parties.

Product Details

• Paperback: 278 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (April 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231081553
• ISBN-13: 978-0231081559
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,158,175 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well done!, February 2, 2000

By	J. Lindsay (Albany, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a "must read" for anyone who is serious about reforming the electoral system. It is cogent and well written. It covers the arguments for and against PR (proportional representation), and has useful nuts-and-bolts appendices.

I strongly recommend it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An invaluable introduction to an important topic, January 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Real Choices/New Voices: The Case for Proportional Representation Elections in the United States (Hardcover)

"Real Choices, New Voices" first was published when the movement for proportional representation in the United States was hardly a blip on the radar screen, back in 1993. Now we have seen a major referendum on it, serious discussion about "PR" in numerous states and an ongoing international trend toward PR systems. Amy's book has been a key reason why -- his arguments are clear, powerful and well-supported with evidence. Once a reader reads "Real Choices, New Voices," he or she will never be able to look at our democracy in the same way. If you think our system is working, don't worry about the book -- if you're like the rest of us, I'd urge you to get a copy today!

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well done, but rather polemic, August 23, 2003

By	Bruce R. Gilson (Wheaton, MD United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is a good introduction to voting systems, but it is very much a book of advocacy. Amy favors proportional representation (PR), and as a result he tends to minimize the defects and maximize the advantages of PR systems and maximize the defects and minimize the advantages of anything else.

If you just want an introduction to voting systems, I recommend David M. Farrell's book, "Electoral Systems."