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1. Elections and DemocracyElections and Democracy
January 29th

2. 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?

3. Democratic Ideals May 4 1979Democratic Ideals May 4 1979
may the 4may the 4thth
be with you M Thatcherbe with you M Thatcher
political equality
majority 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?

4. 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

5. Fair Political CompetitionFair Political Competition
 What constitutes “fair”
– who chooses the candidates?
 http://www.canada.com/news/Conservatives+ignoring+democracy+blo
– how much money may they spend?
 http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/03/31/cv-
– how does debate take place?
 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario-liberal-leaders

6. What, then, are the prospects forWhat, then, are the prospects for
achieving Political Equality?achieving Political Equality?

7. Organizing majority rule andOrganizing majority rule and
minority representation alsominority representation also
complicated…depends oncomplicated…depends on
electoral system!electoral system!
Single-Member Plurality Systems
vs.
Proportional Representation Systems

8. Canadian NationalCanadian National
Election Results, 2011Election Results, 2011
Vote
(%)
Cons. 39.6%
NDP 30.6%
BQ 6.0%
Libs 18.9%
Green 3.9%

9. Canadian NationalCanadian 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

10. http://elections.ca/res/cir/maps/imagehttp://elections.ca/res/cir/maps/image

11. Canadian NationalCanadian 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%

12. Single Member PluralitySingle Member Plurality
System (SMPS)System (SMPS)
One representative per geographic area
(riding, constituency, district)
‘First-past-the-post’, ‘winner-take-all’
system

15. 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

16. 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

17. PRPR 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

18. Hypothetical Results Under DifferentHypothetical 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

19. Other Alternative SystemsOther Alternative Systems
German ‘Hybrid’Model
– mixed member proportional system
– 2 votes: candidate, party list
– 5% rule

21. PR and the Democratic Ideals…PR and the Democratic Ideals…
Majority rule
– but perhaps not majority government
Minority representation easier
Political equality
– every vote seems to count?
Popular sovereignty
– no direct representative-citizen link