Electoral Systems: A Comparative Introduction

by David M. Farrell

Electoral Systems examines the six principle types of electoral system currently in use in more than seventy of the world's democracies. A common format is adopted throughout, dealing with explanations of how the system operates and its effects on the political system.
Electoral Systems examines the six principle types of electoral system currently in use in more than seventy of the world's democracies. A common format is adopted throughout, dealing with explanations of how the system operates and its effects on the political system.

Genres: Political Science, Politics

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 2, 2001

About the author

David M. Farrell is Professor of Politics and Head of the School of Politics and International Relations at University College Dublin. He is a specialist in the study of parties and electoral systems, founding co-editor of Party Politics, and co-editor of the ECPR/Oxford University Press series, Comparative Politics.

Reviews

[Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most gripping read, but a thorough and clear discussion of the most significant electoral systems — it also explains the ramifications can have on the structure of society and the culture of politics. As it is not a political work, the author concludes that there may be some evidence that more proportional systems are better functioning systems, and expresses some fondness for STV, but ultimately posits that no electoral system can be right for all circumstances; history too plays a part in determining which system will work best for a country looking to reform its voting system.

[Kalkino · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is intended to be a brief survey of both the various kinds of electoral systems in common use at a national or regional level as well as an examination of the implications of such systems to issues like stability, effectiveness and representation.

I found it easy to read and I think it is a good introduction to anyone interested in developing an understanding of the issues that relate to electoral law/reform.

I was particularly interested in the latter chapters which dealt with the implications of selecting the various types of electoral system on the wider nation. I believe Mr Farrell has demonstrated that proportional represention does not automatically lead to instability, instead, his analysis shows that in review simple majority systems are in fact more prone to instability.

[Ike Sharpless · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've used this book in my Intro to Comparative Politics class to help my students understand electoral reform, but I suspect I enjoyed it a lot more than they did. It's pretty dense and technical, but provides lots of comparative data to distinguish between SMP, proportional, and semi-proportional systems. The following typology was especially helpful: each electoral system was broken down according to ballot structure (BS - either categorical or ordinal), electoral formula (EF - for example, in the US's single-member plurality system: plurality), and district magnitude (DM - which in the US is one, hence 'single-member').

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written for a college classroom, but not in an unreachable, unreadable style, this book explains the different overall types of election systems in the world, without getting too technical. I was able to see how the USA system compares to others, which I found helpful, as I'm often disillusioned with our own system. At least now I realize that in correcting the problems in our system by replacing it with another, unfortunately, new problems come with it as well.