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Mixed-Member Electoral Systems in Constitutional Context

Taiwan, Japan, and Beyond

Chi Huang Edited by Nathan F. Batto

Publisher: University of Michigan Press
Imprint: University of Michigan Press
Published: 01/2016
Pages: 336
Subject: Political Science - Political Process/Elections, Political Science - World/Asian
Print ISBN: 9780472119738
eBook ISBN: 9780472900626

DESCRIPTION

Reformers have promoted mixed-member electoral systems as the 'best of both worlds.” In this volume, internationally recognized political scientists evaluate the ways in which the introduction of a mixed-member electoral system affects the configuration of political parties. The contributors examine several political phenomena, including cabinet post allocation, nominations, preelectoral coalitions, split-ticket voting, and the size of party systems and faction systems. Significantly, they also consider various ways in which the constitutional system—especially whether the head of government is elected directly or indirectly—can modify the incentives created by the electoral system.   The findings presented here demonstrate that the success of electoral reform depends not only on the specification of new electoral rules per se but also on the political context—and especially the constitutional framework—within which such rules are embedded.

REVIEWS

“This important volume provides detailed theoretically informed overviews of the (conditioned) impact of a new electoral system on the politics of Japan and Taiwan, with the added bonus of additional material on a number of other mixed-member cases (New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand, Bolivia and Russia prereform).”
—David Farrell, University College Dublin

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