On Proportional Representation Essay
While the free essays can give you inspiration for writing, they cannot be used 'as is' because they will not meet your assignment's requirements. If you are in a time crunch, then you need a custom written term paper on your subject (on proportional representation)
Here you can hire an independent writer/researcher to custom write you an authentic essay to your specifications that will pass any plagiarism test (e.g. Turnitin). Waste no more time!
Electoral systems are the oldest and arguably the most important institution of a democratic nation. The right to vote is quintessential to democracy itself, however, how that vote is translated into political power depends on what type of electoral system is being used. For example in a proportional system (PR), 40% of the vote will translate into 40% of the seats in the legislature. This does not occur in the first past the post (FPTP) system whereby percentage of votes does not equal percentage of seats. Single majority plurality systems or first past the post system uses a 'winner-take-all' single seat district system whereby votes going to a losing candidate are wasted. For example if a candidate earned 49% of the vote, and the winning candidate takes 51% those 49% of votes are unrepresentative. Nonetheless, each system has its own unique advantages and each system will yield different impacts on the politics and the complexion of a nation. The key arguments about electoral systems revolve around the questions of democratic quality and the effectiveness of decision-making. Democratic quality is the means by which a system meets such democratic values as representativeness, accountability, equality and participation (Lijphart 2). Consequently, we shall examine the argument for Canada to reform its electoral system from a single-member plurality system to a proportional system with respect to which will ensure greater democratic qualities and effective leadership.
Canada's political system resembles its British counterpart, as was the intention of the 1867 British North America Act. Consequently, Canada inherited the same electoral system, a single member plurality or first past the post system. Some parties have rallied for a reform of the electoral system, usually smaller and under-represented parties such as the Green parties. The reason for this is that it is in general agreement that PR systems yield greater proportionality and minority representation (Lijphart 2). Canada arguably faces shocking measure of voter apathy, citizen ignorance and distorted representation (Richie 1). Therefore, there is a growing movement to support change to a proportional representation system to tap into values such as fairness, opportunity and choice.
Proportional representation system is a broad category of electoral types. Some forms are based on voting for candidates and some are based on voting for political parties. Many combine both features. For example, Germany's mixed-members proportional representation system guarantees geographic representation, as half of the seats are elected from Canadian style one-seat district and the other half in the multi-seat districts. Germany also sets a five percent threshold for parties to win representation, to avoid small splinter parties. The Irish parliament and the Australian senate use preference alternative voting system, which is based on voting for candidates rather than parties. Germany has used the Mixed-member PR system since it was instituted with American and British guidance after World War II. Germany's successful experience with the system has led to many other nations adopting variations of MMPR in recent years including; Japan, Italy, Mexico, Hungary, Russia, New Zealand and Venezuela (Richie 2). Furthermore, mixed-member PR systems have a fairer representation of communities of interest not defined by geography. Such communities are more likely to be organized by how voters think, organize and choose to vote. Thus, voters have more freedom of association and choice because they need fewer votes to elect representatives.
The principle of proportional representation is that parties should win seats in legislative assemblies in proportion to their share of the popular vote. In a proportional representation systems, voters in each district are represented by several elected officials rather than just one, as in the winner-take-all system. PR will ensure that voters in the majority will earn a majority of seats, but voters in the minority will also earn their fair share of representation. For example, in a ten seat district elected by PR, a party that wins ten percent of the popular vote becomes critically significant, however in a FPTP system, this number becomes virtually irrelevant especially if...
MLA Style
. EssayMania.com. Retrieved on 26 May, 2012 from
<http://essaymania.com/138044/on-proportional-representation>
More College Papers
Link essay
A Tale of Two Cities and Things Fall Apart are both novels of social protest. Both novels are focused largely on class struggle. The broad theme of class struggle is important, but it is also important to note how Madame and Monsieur Defarge react to the unjust monarchy in revolutionary France compa
Man Vs. Nature essay
There was Holly, on her back, naked in the middle of the floor, her heels touching the border of the Turkish rug. Up on the twentieth floor it was cooler than down in the street. The phone rang; she got up and covered herself with a bathrobe. It was 6:30 in the morning; she picked up the phone still
Othello-Mistreatment Of Women essay
Shakespeare s Othello is commonly regarded as a work depicting man s ability to use his reason towards evil intentions. A lowly ancient in a general s army is able to destroy him through manipulation and deceit. But although Iago s deceit of Othello is undoubtedly a central theme in the play, anoth