Two-Round Electoral Systems and Democracy

Dados Bibliográficos

ID6246162
AutoresSarah Birch (0000-0001-6457-1310, University of Essex, autor correspondente)
Ano2003
Volume36
Fascículo3
Páginas319-344
Data de publicação2003-04-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoComparative Political Studies (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0010-4140 • E-ISSN: 1552-3829
EditoraSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0010414002250678
OpenAlexW1970507680
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas24
Referências citadas41

Taking as its point of departure a little-noted recent increase in use of two-round electoral systems in parliamentary elections, this article assesses the impact of such systems on democratic performance. It argues that the possibility of holding a second round of voting is a destabilizing factor that inhibits democratic development and encourages the use of nonelectoral means of exercising power. This is because the institution of the double ballot works to fragment the party system by establishing district-specific strategic incentives and by diminishing the element of uncertainty that is key to securing cooperation by important political actors. This proposition is tested on a data set of all states that as of 1 January 1999 held elections to the lower houses of their national assemblies, as well as on a smaller database of democratizing countries

Ballot · Democracy · Economics · Element (criminal law · Incentive · Institution · Microeconomics · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Power (physics · Proportional representation · Proposition · Voting · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Law · Political Conflict and Governance · Public Administration · Social Policy and Reform Studies