Skip to main content

ETHNOS_APP

Home • Search • Journals • List 0

Electoral Laws as Political Consequences

Explaining the Origins and Change of Electoral Institutions

Bibliographic Data

ID6232898
AuthorsKenneth Benoit (0000-0002-0797-564X, Department of Political Science, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland;, corresponding author)
Year2007
Volume10
Issue1
Pages363-390
Publication date2007-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAnnual Review of Political Science (BOOK_SERIES)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1094-2939 • E-ISSN: 1545-1577
PublisherAnnual Reviews (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1146/annurev.polisci.10.072805.101608
OpenAlexW2110668616
LanguageES
Citations received96
References cited65

In this review article, I identify the key questions raised by the treatment of electoral systems not as causal influences on party systems but as effects or byproducts of party systems. Framing these questions in the context of the classic consequences-oriented study of electoral institutions, I first review the classic approach, which treats electoral systems as causes, and explore the potential implications when electoral systems are viewed instead as outcomes of party systems. I then survey a variety of principal explanations of the origins and change of electoral laws, followed by a focus on several of the more explicitly defined models of this process. I conclude by discussing—and contesting—the notion that except for exceptional founding episodes of institutional choice, electoral systems eventually stabilize as equilibrium institutions

Context (archaeology · Democracy · Economics · Electoral geography · Electoral system · Framing (construction · Law and economics · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Positive economics · Sociology · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Judicial and Constitutional Studies · Law · Politics and Society in Latin America

  • Cambio de las reglas del juego

    Open Access•Terezinha Cabral De Albuquerque Neta Barros, Cyntia Carolina Beserra…•Revista de la Facultad de Derecho…•2021

  • The Politics of Electoral Reform

    Open Access•Alan Renwick•Politics of Electoral Reform•2010

  • Conservative Parties and the Birth of Modern Democracy in Europe

    Open Access•Daniel Ziblatt•Conservative Parties and the…•2017

  • Multilevel Democracy

    Open Access•Jefferey M Sellers, Anders Lidström et al.•Multilevel Democracy•2020

  • The “Communal College

    Open Access•Ivan Pepić•Swiss Political Science Review•2026

  • The Taiwan Voter

    Open Access•Christopher Achen, T Y Wang et al.•The Taiwan Voter•2017

  • All that legislates is not gold

    Open Access•Camila Contreras, Alejandro Corvalan•European Journal of Political…•2026

  • Penser les politiques électorales

    Thomas Ehrhard•Gouvernement et action publique•2016

  • Pour une approche des politiques électorales par les idées

    Thomas Ehrhard, Paulo José Canelas Rapaz•Gouvernement et action publique•2019

  • Konzeptionalisierung und Messung formalen Institutionenwandels – Das Beispiel parlamentarische Regeln

    Open Access•Ulrich Sieberer, PETER MEIßNER et al.•Zeitschrift für Vergleichende…•2014

  • La democracia como política pública

    Open Access•Alejandro Monsiváis Carrillo, Alejandro Monsivais-Carrillo•Revista de Estudios Sociales•2013

  • Cambiar algo para que nada cambie. La reforma decorativa de las elecciones primarias obligatorias en Perú

    Open Access•Ignacio Santoro•Colombia Internacional•2024

  • From the Porcellum to the Rosatellum

    Emanuele Massetti, Arianna Farinelli•Contemporary Italian Politics•2019

  • Investigating Party Abroad

    Open Access•Sorina Soares•Politics and Governance•2024

  • An expanded vital center? Alaskan rank choice voting and the throes of frontlash/backlash

    Open Access•Emily B Campbell•American Journal of Cultural…•2025

  • Global Stasis as a Party System, or Welcome to World Civil War I

    Svyatoslav Kaspe, Politeia journal Editor-in-Chief•Russia in Global Affairs•2024

  • An Unexpected Pioneer in Asia

    Hannes B Mosler, Luicy Pedroza•Ethnopolitics•2014

  • Explaining the determinants and processes of institutional change

    Open Access•Camille Bedock•French Politics•2014

  • Causation, lawhood and determinism in electoral systems research

    Open Access•Eugen Weber, Inge De Bal•French Politics•2017

  • The short-term and long-term effects of institutional reforms on party system nationalization

    Open Access•Pablo Simón Cosano, Pablo Simón et al.•Comparative European Politics•2017

  • Explaining political decentralization in parliamentary democracies

    Open Access•Nicholas Spina•Comparative European Politics•2012

  • The effects of district magnitude on the number of intra-party factions

    Open Access•Germán Campos-Herrera, Patricio Navia•Japanese Journal of Political…•2024

  • Electoral rules and manufacturing legislative supermajority

    Netina Tan, B Grofman•Commonwealth and Comparative…•2018

  • Demokratische Muster oder demokratische Defizite

    Open Access•Thomas Kestler•Zeitschrift für Politikwissenschaft•2017

  • Metų Seimo Rinkimų Iššūkis Partinei Sistemai Ir Politologams

    Open Access•Mažvydas Jastramskis•Politologija•2017

  • Le rôle des intérêts inter- et intra- partisans dans les processus de découpage électoral. Vers une déconstruction du rôle des partis politiques

    Thomas Ehrhard•Revue internationale de politique…•2014

  • Quand la compétition électorale détermine la disproportionnalité

    Camille Bedock•Revue internationale de politique…•2018

  • The Politics of Electoral Reform in Ukraine

    Dima Kortukov•Problems of Post-Communism•2019

  • Faulty Votes

    Open Access•Jarosław Flis, Marek M Kaminski•Political Research Quarterly•2025

  • Parties and Coalition Governance in Presidential Democracies

    Open Access•Joris Alberdingk Thijm, Jorge M Fernandes•Political Research Quarterly•2024

  • The Challenges to De-localising Constituencies through Electoral Reform in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

    Open Access•Esther Somfalvy•Europe Asia Studies•2020

  • Rokkan Rules? Communist Elites and the Choice of Electoral Systems in the Yugoslav Republics, 1989–1990

    Open Access•Josip Glaurdić, Ensar Muharemović•Europe Asia Studies•2023

  • Japan's electoral geography and agricultural policy making

    Open Access•Thomas Feldhoff•Journal of Rural Studies•2017

  • Wahlregeln, Klassenkoalitionen und Wohlfahrtsstaatsregime – oder

    Philip Manow•Zeitschrift für Soziologie•2007

  • Public support for electoral reform

    Open Access•Abigail L Heller•Electoral Studies•2021

  • Magnitude matters

    Open Access•Michał Pierzgalski, Maciej A Górecki et al.•Electoral Studies•2025

  • Explaining Electoral Reforms in Lithuania

    Žilvinas Martinaitis•Journal of Baltic Studies•2012

  • Como medir ideologia partidária

    Open Access•Bruno Bolognesi•Revista de Sociologia e Política•2024

  • The Elections to Nonterritorial Autonomies of Central and South Eastern Europe

    Open Access•Balázs Dobos•Nationalities Papers•2020

  • What determines preferences for an electoral system? Evidence from a binding referendum

    Open Access•Guillem Riambau, Steven Stillman et al.•Public Choice•2021

  • The political consequences of changes in district magnitude

    Open Access•Philipp Harfst•Acta Politica•2017

  • A política da reforma eleitoral

    Open Access•Eric Nogueira Andrade•Revista Brasileira de Ciência…•2026

  • Institutional Context and Representational Strain in Party–Voter Agreement in Western and Eastern Europe

    Robert Rohrschneider, Stephen Whitefield•West European Politics•2012

  • Negative Campaigning in Western Europe

    Open Access•Annemarie Walter•Political Studies•2014

  • Conflict, choice or geography? Explaining patterns of democracy in continental Europe

    Open Access•Julian Bernauer, Adrian Vatter•European Journal of Political…•2017

  • The Political Dynamics of Portfolio Design in European Democracies

    Open Access•Ulrich Sieberer, Thomas M Meyer et al.•British Journal of Political…•2021

  • Inclusive institutions and stability of transition toward democracy in post-civil war states

    Madhav Joshi•Democratization•2012

  • Elections Under Authoritarianism

    Jill Gandhi, Ellen Lust-Okar et al.•Annual Review of Political Science•2009

  • Gross Violations of Duverger’s Law in India

    Open Access•Peter Mayer•Studies in Indian Politics•2013

  • With a Little Help from the Opposition? Relaxing Term Limits in the Argentine Provinces, 1983–2017

    Open Access•Adrián Lucardi, María Gabriela Almaraz•Journal of Politics in Latin…•2017

  • The international diffusion of electoral systems

    Open Access•Damien Bol, Jean-Benoit Pilet et al.•European Journal of Political…•2015

  • Competing loyalties in electoral reform

    Open Access•Sheahan G Virgin•Electoral Studies•2017

  • Party competition and electoral reforms

    Esra Issever-Ekinci•West European Politics•2024

  • Reforming the Rules of the Parliamentary Game

    Ulrich Sieberer, Wolfgang C Müller et al.•West European Politics•2011

  • Cultural Explanations of Electoral Reform

    P Norris•West European Politics•2011

  • Legislature Resizing with Rent-Seeking Politicians

    Anderson Frey•The Journal of Politics•2025

  • Party Over Principles

    Open Access•Peter T Mclaughlin•State Politics & Policy Quarterly•2025

  • Las reformas político-electorales en América Latina (2015-2018)

    Open Access•Flavia Freidenberg, Cristhian José Uribe Mendoza et al.•Revista de Estudios Políticos•2019

  • El maremágnum de las reformas electorales en Italia

    Open Access•Carlos Fernández Esquer•Revista de Estudios Políticos•2020

  • Composition of the Electorate in Alaska’s Top-four Nonpartisan Primary Compared to the Partisan Primary

    Open Access•Todd Donovan, Caroline Tolbert et al.•Representation•2025

  • Ballot Reform and the Decline of Third Parties in State Legislatures

    Daniel C Reed•Representation•2016

  • Maine ranked-choice voting as a case of electoral-system change

    Jack Santucci•Representation•2018

  • Intra-Party Democracy and Party Unity

    Susan E Scarrow•Representation•2021

  • Political Institutions and the Distributional Consequences of Suffrage Extension

    Open Access•Tarik Abou‐chadi, Tarik Abou-Chadi et al.•Political Studies•2015

  • Between Science and Engineering

    Open Access•John Michael Carey, John Carey et al.•Perspectives on Politics•2013

  • Between Science and Engineering

    Open Access•M Htun, G Bingham Powell•Perspectives on Politics•2013

  • Party system change and negative campaigning in New Zealand

    Open Access•Travis N Ridout, Annemarie Walter et al.•Party Politics•2015

  • Electoral reform, values and party self-interest

    Open Access•Damien Bol•Party Politics•2016

  • Party registration rules and party systems in Latin America

    Open Access•Yen-Pin Su•Party Politics•2015

  • The choice of candidate-centered electoral systems in new democracies

    Open Access•Jae Hyeok Shin•Party Politics•2017

  • Effects of the Mixed Parallel Electoral System in Lithuania

    Open Access•Mažvydas Jastramskis•Parliamentary Affairs•2019

  • Challenging the wisdom on preferential proportional representation

    Open Access•Carol Mershon•Journal of Theoretical Politics•2020

  • Principles of representation throughout the world

    Open Access•Johannes Raabe•International Political Science…•2015

  • Two-party Contests and the Politics of Electoral Reforms

    Open Access•Eunju Chi•Government and Opposition•2014

  • Comparison of Voter Behaviour in Two Electoral Systems of Baden-Württemberg

    Jarosław Flis, Jeremiasz Salamon•German Politics•2025

  • Short-term matters

    Open Access•Camille Bedock•European Political Science Review•2016

  • Legitimacy from above

    Open Access•Christopher J Anderson, Aida Just•European Political Science Review•2013

  • Do people want a ‘fairer’ electoral system? An experimental study in four countries

    Open Access•Carolina Plescia, André Blais et al.•European Journal of Political…•2020

  • More Options, but Less Willing to Cast a Valid Vote

    Open Access•Loreto Cox, Carmen Le Foulon•Comparative Political Studies•2025

  • Rational, reverential or experimental? The politics of electoral reform in Oceania

    Liam Weeks•Australian Journal of Political…•2013

  • In From the Cold

    Timothy Frye•Annual Review of Political Science•2012

  • The Effect of Core Values on Support for Electoral Reform

    Open Access•Sheahan G Virgin•American Journal of Political…•2023

  • The Electoral Sweet Spot

    Open Access•John Michael Carey, Simon Hix•American Journal of Political…•2011

  • Party system determinants of electoral reform in post-communist states

    Jack Bielasiak, John Hulsey et al.•Communist and Post-Communist…•2013

  • Partisan Predispositions and Public Support for Making It Easier to Vote

    Open Access•Shaun Bowler, Todd Donovan•American Politics Research•2018

  • Eleições no Brasil antes da democracia

    Open Access•Talita Neves Silva, Thiago Silva et al.•Revista de Sociologia e Política•2015

  • Here's the bias! A (Re-)Reassessment of the Chilean electoral system

    Open Access•J Polga-Hecimovich, Peter M Siavelis•Electoral Studies•2015

  • Electoral Reform and Trade-Offs in Representation

    Open Access•Marlis Becher, Irene Menéndez González•American Political Science Review•2019

  • Forgetting to make votes count

    Open Access•Ignacio Lago, Ignacio Lago Peñas et al.•Electoral Studies•2012

  • Partisan self-interest and electoral reform

    Open Access•Alan Renwick, Chris Hanretty et al.•Electoral Studies•2009

  • Endogenous district magnitude and political party fragmentation in subnational Indonesia

    Open Access•Blane D Lewis•Electoral Studies•2018

  • Duverger's psychological effect

    Open Access•Dominic Ponattu•Electoral Studies•2018

  • Majority protection

    Open Access•Alex Walter, Patrick Emmenegger•Electoral Studies•2019

  • Do changes in district magnitude affect electoral fragmentation? Evidence over time at the district level

    Open Access•Matthew Singer, Zachary Gershman•Electoral Studies•2018

  • Pork-Barrel Politics and Electoral Reform

    Open Access•Ray Christensen, Joel Sawat Selway et al.•The Journal of Asian Studies•2017

  • Deciding on the Electoral System

    Open Access•Ricardo Gamboa, Mauricio Morales Quiroga et al.•Latin American Politics and Society•2015

  • Elections and conflict management in Africa

    Andrew Reynolds, Timothy D Sisk•Elections and conflict management…•1998

  • Citizens, elections, parties

    Stein Rokkan•Citizens, elections, parties•1970

  • Embodying Democracy

    Open Access•Sarah Birch, Frances Millard et al.•Embodying Democracy•2002

  • The United Kingdom

    Paul Mitchell•The politics of electoral systems•2005

  • The Causes of Electoral Reform in Japan

    Steven R Reed, Michael F Thies et al.•Mixed-Member Electoral Systems•2003

  • Why Are There So Many (or So Few) Electoral Reforms?

    Richard S Katz•The politics of electoral systems•2005

  • France

    Robert Elgie•The politics of electoral systems•2005

  • Ireland

    Michael Gallagher•The politics of electoral systems•2005

  • Institutional Design in Post-Communist Societies

    Open Access•Jon Elster, Claus Offe et al.•Institutional Design in…•1998

  • Making Votes Count

    Open Access•Gary W Cox•Making Votes Count•1997

  • Electoral Systems and Party Systems

    Arend Lijphart•Electoral systems and party systems•1994

  • The International Almanac of Electoral History

    Open Access•Thomas T Mackie, Richard Rose•International Almanac of…•1991

  • Comparative Electoral Systems Research

    Matthew Soberg Shugart•The politics of electoral systems•2005

  • The political consequences of electoral laws

    Douglas W Rae•The political consequences of…•1971

  • Mixed-Member Electoral Systems

    Matthew Soberg Shugart, Martin P Wattenberg•Mixed-Member Electoral Systems•2003

  • Size and Democracy

    Open Access•Michael Goldsmith•Environment and Planning C…•2002

  • Institutional Design in New Democracies

    Arend Lijphart, Carlos H Waisman•Institutional Design in New…•2018

  • The Handbook of Electoral System Choice

    Open Access•J Colomer, Josep M Colomer•Handbook of Electoral System Choice•2004

  • Electoral Systems and Political Transformation in Post-Communist Europe

    Open Access•Sarah Birch•Electoral Systems and Political…•2003

  • Post-Communist Party Systems

    Open Access•Herbert Kitschelt, Zdenka Mansfeldová et al.•Post-Communist Party Systems•1999

  • Endogenous Selection of Institutions and Their Exogenous Effects

    Open Access•Olga Shvetsova•Constitutional Political Economy•2003

  • Political Institutions

    J O Hertzler, Edward Mcchesney Sait•American Sociological Review•1939

  • Political Parties

    Brian Chapman•International Affairs•1955

  • Transitional Electoral Systems in Post-Communist Eastern Europe

    Open Access•John Ishiyama, John T Ishiyama•Political Science Quarterly•1997

  • The international Idea handbook of electoral system design

    Paul Wilder•Representation•1999

  • Ethnic groups in conflict

    Donald L Horowitz•Ethnic groups in conflict•2000

  • Institutional Change and Persistence

    Kenneth Benoit, Jacqueline Hayden•The Journal of Politics•2004

  • Models, Theories, and the Theory of Political Parties

    Open Access•Colin Leys•Political Studies•1959

  • It's Parties that Choose Electoral Systems (Or, Duverger's Laws Upside Down)

    Open Access•Josep M Colomer•Political Studies•2005

  • Studying Institutions

    Open Access•Kenneth A Shepsle•Journal of Theoretical Politics•1989

  • Understanding the Dynamics of Electoral Reform

    Open Access•Patrick Dunleavy, Helen Z Margetts et al.•International Political Science…•1995

  • Institutional Choice in New Democracies

    Open Access•Kenneth Benoit, John W Schiemann•Journal of Theoretical Politics•2001

  • Democratization and Constitutional Choices in Czecho-Slovakia, Hungary and Poland 1989-91

    Open Access•Arend Lijphart•Journal of Theoretical Politics•1992

  • Electoral formulas

    Open Access•André Blais, Louis Massicotte•European Journal of Political…•1997

  • Electoral reform in systems of proportional representation

    Open Access•Matthew Soberg Shugart•European Journal of Political…•1992

  • Changes in Electoral Systems as ‘Interventions

    Open Access•Michal Shamir•European Journal of Political…•1985

  • District magnitude, electoral formula, and the number of parties

    Open Access•Kenneth Benoit•European Journal of Political…•2001

  • Electoral Systems and Institutional Choice

    Open Access•D Brady, Jongryn Mo•Comparative Political Studies•1992

  • Effective” Number of Parties

    Open Access•Markku Laakso, Rein Taagepera•Comparative Political Studies•1979

  • A Politics of Institutional Choice

    Open Access•Timothy Frye•Comparative Political Studies•1997

  • Electoral Institutions, Cleavage Structures, and the Number of Parties

    Octavio Amorim Neto, Gary W Cox•American Journal of Political…•1997

  • The Logic of Institutional Preferences

    Kathleen Bawn•American Journal of Political…•1993

  • Institutional Arrangements and Equilibrium in Multidimensional Voting Models

    Kenneth A Shepsle•American Journal of Political…•1979

  • Ethnic Heterogeneity, District Magnitude, and the Number of Parties

    Peter C Ordeshook, Olga Shvetsova et al.•American Journal of Political…•1994

  • Political Goals, Institutional Context, and the Choice of an Electoral System

    Thomas F Remington, Stephanie S Smith et al.•American Journal of Political…•1996

  • The Psychological Impact of Electoral Laws

    Open Access•André Blais, R Kenneth Carty•British Journal of Political…•1991

  • Trade and the variety of democratic institutions

    Open Access•Ronald Rogowski•International Organization•1987

  • Models of electoral system change

    Open Access•Kenneth Benoit•Electoral Studies•2004

  • Strategic fools

    Open Access•Josephine T Andrews, Robert W Jackman•Electoral Studies•2005

  • Proportionality, disproportionality and electoral systems

    Open Access•Michael Gallagher•Electoral Studies•1991

  • Bulgaria

    Open Access•Stephen Ashley•Electoral Studies•1990

  • Setting the Rules of the Game

    Open Access•Carles Boix•American Political Science Review•1999

  • The Political Consequences of Electoral Laws, 1945-85

    Open Access•Arend Lijphart•American Political Science Review•1990

  • Predicting the Number of Parties

    Open Access•Rein Taagepera, Matthew Soberg Shugart•American Political Science Review•1993

Unique citing works96
Citations per year5,05
Citation span2007 - 2026 (20)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 95

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub
Ethnos_APP • Open Source Project • MIT License • Frontend v2.0.0 • Privacy and Cookies • API Documentation: api.ethnos.app/docs • API Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17049435 • Frontend Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17050053 • cruz.rio.br • Expectantes Misericordiae