POL101Y1 Chapter Notes -Direct Democracy
Document Summary
The choice of an electoral system hinges on two sets of judgments: empirical judgments about the likely consequences of the various options normative judgments about how good or bad, and important or trivial these consequences are. Electoral system: set of rules which govern the process by which citizens" opinions about candidates and parties are expressed in votes and by which these votes are thereafter translated into the description of decision-makers. An electoral system comprises constituency structure (how many representatives are to be elected in each constituency?) ballot structure (how are electors supposed to express their opinions?) electoral formula (what conditions must be fulfilled in order to be elected?) Why democracy: policies adopted by elected representatives are more likely to reflect the views of the majority. conflict is more likely to be dealt with peacefully in a democracy. Why elections? holding of elections increases legislators" sensitivity to public opinion: there will be congruence between what citizens want and what governments do.
