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Proportional representation and local government: lessons from Europe
- Authors:
- RALLINGS Colin, THRASHER Michael, STOKER Gerry
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation,|York Publishing Services
- Publication year:
- 2000
- Pagination:
- 38p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- York
The introduction of proportional representation (PR) into local government is on the current agenda of the Scottish parliament and remains a background policy option in England and Wales. This study reviews the performance of PR systems in Europe. It moves the debate on from theoretical depiction of the alternatives to providing hard evidence of the various options in practice. he authors examine the four main electoral systems used in local and regional elections in Europe: the ‘first-past-the-post’ system, practised in Britain alone; the ‘party list’ system, for which France provides the main illustration (although this system operates in Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and several other countries); the ‘additional member’ system, for which Germany’s regional level elections provide an example; and the ‘single transferable vote’, analysed in respect of recent local elections in the Republic of Ireland. This research reveals that selecting the right electoral system is not a straightforward exercise. Each voting system is affected by the detailed rules and provisions adopted within each country. The number of parties, party competition and voters’ behaviour can all have a substantial impact on results.