389 PS Comparative Elections and Election Reform Course Introduction
1/08/09
Research Paper
A research paper is not a report A research paper is not an opinion piece A research paper is not an advocacy piece
A research paper starts with a good question!
Big Questions
[How] Does democracy work? What is the role of elections in democracies? Do elections tell us what voters want? What's wrong/right with how U.S. elections work? Should we reform? How? What can we learn from the rest of the world about how to run elections? What can other countries learn from U.S.?
Importance of Elections
A. Practically
1. Produce policymakers 2. Determines who becomes part of political elite 3. Focal point for activity for parties, citizens, interest groups 4. Bearing on the formation of governments
a. Presidential versus Parliamentary system
Pres. v. Parl.
Two branches: Executive and Legislative Features of Presidentialism 1. Pres. popularly elected 2. Leg. and Exec. have fixed terms 3. Pres. selects/directs cabinet/government 4. Pres. has some lawmaking power
Pres. v. Parl.
Features of Parliamentarism 1. Executive (Prime Minister) selected by the legislature. 2. Executive dependent on legislative confidence
No fixed terms
3. Cabinet subject to legislative confidence 4. No independent legislative power
Importance of Elections
B. Symbolically
1. Legitimization of the political system 2. Means of participation, expressing opinion, evaluating 3. Give citizens feeling of exercising choice
Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally...It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with illfounded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another; foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passion. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and of will another.
Functions of Parties
help solve the CA active problem
For citizens For candidates For politicians
represent/aggregate diverse interests links between citizens and gov. can balance short-term with long term can balance local/personal with national.
Function of Legislators
1. 2. 3. 4. Represent their constituents Shape and enact legislation Advocate party's agenda Check on executive a. Veto b. No confidence: Parl. c. Impeach: Pres. 5. Pool from which cabinet is selected (Parl.)
Electoral Systems
Definitions: rules that govern the presentation of alternatives and the translation of expressed preferences over these alternatives into collective decisions mechanism that turn votes into seats
Things electoral systems might affect:
* choices * fairness * responsiveness * accountability * stability * ideology * corruption
Where do electoral systems come from?
1. Chosen by the political elite--may have partisan motives 2. Electoral systems reflect constitutionmakers' values, expectations and negotiated compromises. 3. Cultural/Historical Legacy
Historical/Cultural Influences
Cultural influence American British Predominant constitutional type Presidential exec. Majoritarian leg. Parliamentary Majoritarian leg. Countries fitting type U.S. Philippines UK Australia* Canada Ceylon/Sri Lanka* India Jamiaca Malaysia New Zeland* Singapore Thailand* Most Western Europe excepte Exceptions/mixed Germany Japan Ireland
Continental W. Europe/Scandinavia wpprot l ai r n uga
Parliamentary Representational leg. wrr na lec ei t e r s de i x Repret n l nai a te so lr eg
Fra n ce rw t l d i a zer n
ro L t rmei wrrz z st ai n r ca ea z Uruu z a uga e cer x t p
Where do electoral systems come from?
1. Chosen by the political elite--may have partisan motives 2. Electoral systems reflect constitutionmakers' values, expectations and negotiated compromises. 3. Cultural/Historical Legacy 4. Not frequently tinkered with for electoral advantage
Why rarely manipulated?
Those in power have most to lose Uncertainty Difficult to change May lead to voter backlash Sometimes imposed from abroad