Real Choices / New Voices

by Douglas J. Amy

There is a growing realization that many of the problems afflicting American elections can be traced to the electoral system itself, in particular to our winner-take-all approach to electing officials. Douglas Amy demonstrates that switching to proportional representation elections―the voting system used in most other Western democracies, by which officials are elected in large, multimember districts according to the proportion of the vote won by their parties―would enliven democratic political debate, increase voter choice and voter turnout, ensure fair representation for third parties and minorities, eliminate wasted votes and "spoliers," and ultimately produce policies that better reflect the public will. Looking beyond new voting machines and other quick fixes for our electoral predicament, this new edition of Real Choices/New Voices offers a timely and imaginative way out of the frustrations of our current system of choosing leaders.

Genres: Politics

Paperback

First published January 5, 2002

Reviews

[Billy McKeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for a class - I constantly reference this book in my work when I contextualize modern social-political phenomenons. This books puts in clear sight the shortcomings of our democracy, and how other counties are already doing it better. Loaded with meticulous examples - if you’re a college student, this book with give you endless quotes to use for essays. Reading was somewhat mundane because the research was so detailed, as collections of data and research should be.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended by my running mate, Ken

Dense with information. Inspiring and depressing all at once. Why wasn't I asked to read THIS in high school political science class?

[Bryan Vogt · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's interesting to read this analysis of electoral injustice, written so shortly after the 2000 election, as an observer from the Trump presidency, Brexit elections, and so on. An effective book for someone looking into the structural problems of the modern United States and United Kingdom.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provides perspectives on a simple way to improve democracy in the USA, which is used by most other democracies in the world. The fact that we have had so little discussion of this topic is a reflection of the dysfunctional state of two party politics.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

this Monday polisci class >>>

[Javier Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and insightful appraisal of the inherent weaknesses of the current electoral system in the United States, Dr. Amy skillfully lays the case for why the US should move away from its antiquated First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system toward a more proportional form of government. From the increase in political views to the improvement in women and minority representation, Proportional Representation (PR) is the form of government most democracies (both established and emerging) use to ensure that all viewpoints are reflected in the elected leaders of a people. Given how fraught our current system is with its partisan gerrymandering, clawing back of civil rights, and capricious voting laws, only moving toward such a system can guarantee that our Democracy flourishes in this century rather than languishes as it is now. A must-read for any political activist and reformer and prospective politicians alike.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

everyone should read this book before they talk about politics. so much of the quality of american politics (or rather lack thereof) is a result of our flawed institutional design. however, the way in which everyday people discuss politics makes it seem that the problem with politics is our politicians. while i agree that many of our politicians are deplorable people--we must at least acknowledge that our institutions are set up to produce a particular kind of outcome. our politics won't get better till our institutions do--and this book tells us how they can improve.