Assessing and Assessing and Ranking DemocraciesRanking Democracies

Nov. 3Nov. 3

Assessing and Ranking Assessing and Ranking DemocraciesDemocracies

Freedom House releases an annual report each year: Freedom House releases an annual report each year: Freedom in the WorldFreedom in the World. . Countries are assessed as free, Countries are assessed as free, partly free, or unfree.partly free, or unfree.

The Economist The Economist magazine releases an annual magazine releases an annual Index of Index of DemocracyDemocracy. . Countries are assessed as full democracies, Countries are assessed as full democracies, flawed democracies, hybrid regimes, or authoritarian.flawed democracies, hybrid regimes, or authoritarian.

The Ibrahim Index focuses on African countries. It “provides The Ibrahim Index focuses on African countries. It “provides a comprehensive ranking of African countries according to a comprehensive ranking of African countries according to governance quality” It “uses indicators across four main governance quality” It “uses indicators across four main pillars: Safety and Rule of Law; Participation and Human pillars: Safety and Rule of Law; Participation and Human Rights; Sustainable Economic Opportunity; and Human Rights; Sustainable Economic Opportunity; and Human Development as proxies for the quality of the processes and Development as proxies for the quality of the processes and outcomes of governance.”outcomes of governance.”

Electoral Systems Electoral Systems and Referendaand ReferendaNov. 3Nov. 3

Elections and ReferendaElections and Referenda

Elections and referendums are the two main Elections and referendums are the two main voting opportunities in modern democracies.voting opportunities in modern democracies.

Elections are held to fill seats (representatives) Elections are held to fill seats (representatives) in a parliament or some other institutions.in a parliament or some other institutions.

Referendums are votes on a specific issue to Referendums are votes on a specific issue to be approved or rejected.be approved or rejected.

Significance of Electoral Significance of Electoral SystemsSystems

The electoral system is the set of rules The electoral system is the set of rules governing the conversion of votes into governing the conversion of votes into seats.seats.

Electoral systems have a huge influence Electoral systems have a huge influence on a country’s party-system, government-on a country’s party-system, government-coalition, representation etc.coalition, representation etc.

Different Electoral Different Electoral SystemsSystems

Billy Ballot: Billy Ballot:

Electoral Systems Around the WorldElectoral Systems Around the World

prepared by the Ontario Citizens’ Assemblyprepared by the Ontario Citizens’ Assembly

Single-Member Plurality Single-Member Plurality (SMP)(SMP)

Often called First Past the Post (FPTP)Often called First Past the Post (FPTP) One member elected per district.One member elected per district. The candidate with the most votes wins.The candidate with the most votes wins. Voters select one candidate on the ballot.Voters select one candidate on the ballot.

AnimationAnimation: SMP prepared by BC : SMP prepared by BC Citizen’s Assembly on Electoral Reform. Citizen’s Assembly on Electoral Reform.

Single-Member Plurality Single-Member Plurality (SMP)(SMP)

USA, UK, India, Canada, Bangladesh, USA, UK, India, Canada, Bangladesh, Botswana, Ghana, Jamaica, Kenya, Botswana, Ghana, Jamaica, Kenya, Nigeria, among others.Nigeria, among others.

Majority SystemsMajority Systems

Alternative VoteAlternative Vote Preferential or ordinal ballot, voters rank candidates Preferential or ordinal ballot, voters rank candidates

on ballot.on ballot. all ballots are counted on the basis of first all ballots are counted on the basis of first

preferences, if no one receives a majority of the preferences, if no one receives a majority of the vote, then the last-place finisher is dropped off, and vote, then the last-place finisher is dropped off, and ballots for that candidate are redistributed based on ballots for that candidate are redistributed based on their second choices. This continues until a their second choices. This continues until a candidate wins majority support.candidate wins majority support.

Two-round systemTwo-round system Works like the SMP system, but it is followed by a Works like the SMP system, but it is followed by a

second round of voting on a later date (usually) second round of voting on a later date (usually) between the top two finishers.between the top two finishers.

Majority SystemsMajority Systems

Alternative Vote: Australian House of Alternative Vote: Australian House of RepresentativesRepresentatives

Two-Round System: Used to elect Two-Round System: Used to elect parliaments in over 20 countries around parliaments in over 20 countries around the world. Common in presidential the world. Common in presidential elections around the world. elections around the world.

Proportional Proportional Representation SystemsRepresentation Systems

List PRList PR Voters select between competing slates of candidates.Voters select between competing slates of candidates. Representation in the legislature per party approximates the Representation in the legislature per party approximates the

percentage of the vote each party receives.percentage of the vote each party receives. Single Transferable Vote (STV)Single Transferable Vote (STV)

Voters use a preferential ballot to rank candidates in multi-Voters use a preferential ballot to rank candidates in multi-member constituencies.member constituencies.

Candidates that surpass the necessary threshold are elected. Candidates that surpass the necessary threshold are elected. “Surplus votes” are then transferred to other candidates to “Surplus votes” are then transferred to other candidates to elect the required number of candidates.elect the required number of candidates.

BC-STV in ActionBC-STV in Action: Animation prepared by the BC Citizens’ : Animation prepared by the BC Citizens’ Assembly.Assembly.

Proportional Proportional Representation SystemsRepresentation Systems

STV: Ireland, Malta, the Australian SenateSTV: Ireland, Malta, the Australian Senate

Party List PR: Argentina, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Party List PR: Argentina, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Greece, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Latvia, Moldova, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Latvia, Moldova, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Uruguay.Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Uruguay.

Proportional Proportional Representation SystemsRepresentation Systems

Important variations:Important variations: In some cases, the entire country is treated In some cases, the entire country is treated

as one large constituency: Israel, as one large constituency: Israel, Netherlands, Slovakia. More commonly, the Netherlands, Slovakia. More commonly, the country is divided into a number of smaller country is divided into a number of smaller constituencies.constituencies.

PR systems inevitably involve the use party PR systems inevitably involve the use party lists. These lists may be closed lists or open lists. These lists may be closed lists or open lists (preferential lists). lists (preferential lists).

Mixed SystemsMixed Systems

Mixed Member Proportional (MMP)Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) Combines the geographical representation of single-Combines the geographical representation of single-

member districts with an additional allotment of member districts with an additional allotment of adjustment or compensatory seats allocated in terms adjustment or compensatory seats allocated in terms of proportional representation.of proportional representation.

Billy Ballot promotes MMPBilly Ballot promotes MMP Ontario Citizen’s Assembly on Electoral Reform. Ontario Citizen’s Assembly on Electoral Reform.

MMPMMP: System at a Glance. : System at a Glance. How the System WorksHow the System Works. . Parallel SystemsParallel Systems

Similarly combines single-member districts with PR, Similarly combines single-member districts with PR, but there is no direct relations between the two votes.but there is no direct relations between the two votes.

Mixed SystemsMixed Systems

Mixed Member Proportional (MMP): Mixed Member Proportional (MMP): Bolivia, Germany, New Zealand, Bolivia, Germany, New Zealand, Venezuela Venezuela

Parallel Systems: Albania, Andorra, East Parallel Systems: Albania, Andorra, East Timor, Georgia, Guatemala, Japan, Timor, Georgia, Guatemala, Japan, Lithuania, Macedonia, Madagascar, Lithuania, Macedonia, Madagascar, Senegal, Seychelles, South Korea, Senegal, Seychelles, South Korea, Thailand Thailand

Moving to PR or a mixed Moving to PR or a mixed system?system?

What are the advantages (real or What are the advantages (real or alleged) and disadvantages (real or alleged) and disadvantages (real or alleged) of PR and mixed systems?alleged) of PR and mixed systems?

What would be the impact of moving to What would be the impact of moving to PR or a mixed system?PR or a mixed system?

ReferendaReferenda

ReferendaReferenda

Referendums are often described as “direct Referendums are often described as “direct democracy”. But referendums should not be seen as democracy”. But referendums should not be seen as being opposed to representative democracies, but as being opposed to representative democracies, but as an institution within them.an institution within them.

Types of referendum:Types of referendum:Uleri (1996) introduced a typology of referendums along Uleri (1996) introduced a typology of referendums along

five dimensions:five dimensions: Procedural or ad hoc promotion of referendumProcedural or ad hoc promotion of referendum Procedural referendum as mandatory or optionalProcedural referendum as mandatory or optional Promoted by voters or some other agentPromoted by voters or some other agent Decision-promoting (ratification) or decision controlling (veto)Decision-promoting (ratification) or decision controlling (veto) Binding or advisory impact of referendum voteBinding or advisory impact of referendum vote

Why Referenda?Why Referenda?

The rationale of a referendum:The rationale of a referendum:

(1) Process-related arguments:(1) Process-related arguments:

Referendums increase the legitimation of Referendums increase the legitimation of policiespolicies

Referendums increase political Referendums increase political participation / level of political knowledgeparticipation / level of political knowledge

Why Referenda?Why Referenda?

(2)(2) Outcome-related arguments:Outcome-related arguments:

Referendums work against the interest of those who do not Referendums work against the interest of those who do not usually voteusually vote

Referendums can result in an infringement of the rights of Referendums can result in an infringement of the rights of minorities, but:minorities, but: Access to referendums is restrictedAccess to referendums is restricted Veto role of constitutional courtsVeto role of constitutional courts Qualified majorities (e.g. double majorities)Qualified majorities (e.g. double majorities)

Referendums may prevent policy innovationReferendums may prevent policy innovation

Lower quality of decisions (“cognitive incompetence”)Lower quality of decisions (“cognitive incompetence”)

Referenda: When?Referenda: When?

Empirical patterns:Empirical patterns: Widespread but uneven distribution of referendums. Widespread but uneven distribution of referendums.

Huge variation in the frequency of referendums.Huge variation in the frequency of referendums.

Some empirical evidence of an increasing number of Some empirical evidence of an increasing number of referendums.referendums.

Referendums are often held on sovereignty-related questions Referendums are often held on sovereignty-related questions such as secession, independence or EU. For example 14 of 19 such as secession, independence or EU. For example 14 of 19 countries that joined EU between 1973 and 2004 held a countries that joined EU between 1973 and 2004 held a referendum to decide whether to join. In Norway, joining the EU referendum to decide whether to join. In Norway, joining the EU was rejected in two referenda.was rejected in two referenda.

Secessions of Norway from Sweden (1905), Iceland from Secessions of Norway from Sweden (1905), Iceland from Denmark (1944) East Timor from Indonesia (1999) and Denmark (1944) East Timor from Indonesia (1999) and Montenegro from Serbia (2006) all involved referenda.Montenegro from Serbia (2006) all involved referenda.

Referenda in New Referenda in New ZealandZealand

What is a Citizens Initiated Referendum (CIR)?What is a Citizens Initiated Referendum (CIR)?   A citizens initiated referendum is a referendum A citizens initiated referendum is a referendum

promoted under the Citizens Initiated Referenda Act promoted under the Citizens Initiated Referenda Act 1993. A referendum question must have only two 1993. A referendum question must have only two possible answers.possible answers.

  A referendum is required if 10% of enrolled electors A referendum is required if 10% of enrolled electors sign a petition calling for a referendum. The form of the sign a petition calling for a referendum. The form of the petition must be approved by the Clerk of the House of petition must be approved by the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the signatures must be collected Representatives and the signatures must be collected within 12 months of the Clerk’s approval. within 12 months of the Clerk’s approval. 

Source: Source: http://www.elections.org.nz/democracy/referendum/referendums.htmlhttp://www.elections.org.nz/democracy/referendum/referendums.html

Information on the 2009 referendum in New Zealand.Information on the 2009 referendum in New Zealand.