Elections and DemocracyElections and Democracy

January 29th

Last Day: “Please Vote for Me”Last Day: “Please Vote for Me”

As an experiment in holding a democratic election, was it a success?– What are your criteria

for judging?

Democratic Ideals May 4 1979 Democratic Ideals May 4 1979 may the 4may the 4thth be with you M Thatcher be with you M Thatcher

political equalitymajority rule popular sovereignty political liberty (rights and freedoms)

minority rights political competition rule of law

How do we “design Democracy” to achieve these ideals?? How do we embed these ideals in institutions and processes?

Elections are critical!Elections are critical!

Popular sovereignty– citizens must be able to “throw the rascals out”

Fair political competition– key to even the most minimalist versions of democracy,

(i.e., democratic elitism) Achieving political equality

– citizens should have equal voice Organizing majority rule

– if each vote is to be counted equally, the decision of the majority must be accepted

Representing minorities– minorities must achieve equality

Fair Political CompetitionFair Political Competition

What constitutes “fair”– who chooses the candidates?

http://www.canada.com/news/Conservatives+ignoring+democracy+blocking+nomination+Guergis/2993452/story.html

– how much money may they spend? http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/03/31/cv-election-spending-limits-914.html#

– how does debate take place? http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario-liberal-leadership-hopeful-alleges-his-own-party-playing-too-safe/article6221012/

What, then, are the prospects for What, then, are the prospects for achieving Political Equality?achieving Political Equality?

Organizing majority rule and Organizing majority rule and minority representation also minority representation also complicated…depends on complicated…depends on

electoral system!electoral system!

Single-Member Plurality Systems

vs.

Proportional Representation Systems

Canadian National Canadian National Election Results, 2011Election Results, 2011

Vote(%)

Cons. 39.6%

NDP 30.6%

BQ 6.0%

Libs 18.9%

Green 3.9%

Canadian National Canadian National Election Results, 2011Election Results, 2011

Vote(%)

Seats(308)

Cons. 39.6% 166

NDP 30.6% 103

BQ 6.0% 4

Libs 18.9% 34

Green 3.9% 1

http://elections.ca/res/cir/maps/images/Canada_large.pdfhttp://elections.ca/res/cir/maps/images/Canada_large.pdf

Canadian National Canadian National Election Results, 2011Election Results, 2011

Vote(%)

Seats(308)

Seats(%)

Diff.

Cons. 39.6% 166 54% +14.4%

NDP 30.6% 103 33% +2.4%

BQ 6.0% 4 1.2% -4.8%

Libs 18.9% 34 11% -7.9%

Green 3.9% 1 0.3% -3.6%

Single Member Plurality Single Member Plurality System (SMPS)System (SMPS)

One representative per geographic area (riding, constituency, district)

‘First-past-the-post’, ‘winner-take-all’ system

SMPS and the Democratic Ideals…SMPS and the Democratic Ideals…

Majority government but not necessarily majority rule

Minority rights?– what prospects for minor national parties?

Political equality?– does every vote seem to count?

Popular sovereignty– direct representative-citizen link

Alternative Systems: Alternative Systems: Proportional RepresentationProportional Representation

Representation (# of seats) directly proportional to share of popular vote received (# of votes)

Mechanics:– party lists– single-transferable vote

PR PR and the Democratic Idealsand the Democratic Ideals

Majority government unlikely Minorities better represented Political equality?

– every vote seems to count

Popular sovereignty– no direct representative-citizen link

More political competition – more choice!– more representative of public opinion, minorities,

diverse interests

Hypothetical Results Under Different Hypothetical Results Under Different Electoral Systems - 2011 Can. ElectionElectoral Systems - 2011 Can. Election

% Vote Seats: SMPS

Seats: PR

Cons. 39.6% 166 121

NDP 30.6% 103 94

BQ 6.0% 4 18

Libs 18.9% 34 58

Green 3.9% 1 12

Other Alternative SystemsOther Alternative Systems

German ‘Hybrid’Model– mixed member proportional system– 2 votes: candidate, party list– 5% rule

PR and the Democratic Ideals…PR and the Democratic Ideals…

Majority rule – but perhaps not majority government

Minority representation easierPolitical equality

– every vote seems to count?

Popular sovereignty– no direct representative-citizen link