Majoritarian vs. Proportional

Majoritarian vs. Proportional

1. Proportional

   • Number of seats a party gets is fairly accurate to the number of votes achieved in elections.
     • 10% of the vote = 10% of the seats
   • Closed list system. Additional Member System. The single transferable vote

2. Majoritarian

   • Idea that th winner has obtained a majority
   • not designed to provide a proportional result
   • designed to show a clear winner -> clear majority
   • supporters believe government stability is more important than proportionality
   • FPTP. Alternative Vote

3. Why choice of electoral system is important?

   • it raises issues about the nature of representative governments.
   • it raises issues about the purpose of elections
   • It tells us the formation of the government