Blog #1: Electoral Systems

The readings this week focus on the electoral systems in affect in many independent states in the world. Although in my opinion, I believe that manhy of these readings were very repetitive and could stop you form getting the gist are argument of the readings. But my job is not to critique the “value” of these readings, so……

One topic that I would like to address is which institution of electoral systems should eb used and will be more affective in developing or developed countries. One thing that King has asserted in lecture is that the Institutions create incentive structures for individuals to behave in particular ways. So in other words, the electoral systems will almost create a specific outcome in that state. Lijhart asserts that parliamentarism with proportionalism representation should be used in democratic countries. In my opinion, Benjamin Rielly did a better job of presenting Lijhart’s argument for the use of parliamentarism with proportionalism. Rielly says Lijhart and other scholars believe that proportionalism is more effective because in divided states( which is the case for many developed countries) it will encourage incentives for the politicians to reach out of their ethnic group. He also says that proportionalism will create an arena of bargaining so politicians of different background will come together and this will create a better range of public policies for the voter.

In agreement with Reilly. I do not believe that proportionalism is always the solution for all Divided States. Although it creates incentive structures for individuals to behave in particular ways, people might not always take these incentives. What if politicians do not take advantage of the arena of bargaining. What if the people do not wish to become and undivided state? In some cases, we see where the people refuse to come together to find common ground. In my opinion, proportionalism is not need to help create a steady structure in divided societies. Like America, our presidential election is not proportional and because we as a nation wish for commonality among all people; we have interracial, interethnic, and mixed gender presidential and vice presidential candidates.