Proportional representation in variable-size legislatures

S. J. Brams, P. C. Fishburn

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    This paper examines a method to achieve proportional representation (PR) for parties in a legislature that allows the size of the legislature to vary as a function of voting results. The legislature's base consists of one elected candidate from each voting district. Seats are then added to underrepresented parties to approximate their nationwide vote proportions. Additions are governed by rules designed to honor the single-member district concept, to keep the increase manageable, and to satisfy other desirable criteria. These rules work well in the two-party case although they limit the extent to which true PR is achieved. When there are three or more parties, it is necessary to relax the rules if reasonable moves toward PR are to occur.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)211-229
    Number of pages19
    JournalSocial Choice and Welfare
    Volume1
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Oct 1984

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
    • Economics and Econometrics

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Proportional representation in variable-size legislatures'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this