Electoral System for New Democracy

Why an Open List Proportional Representation
Electoral System Is the Best Choice
For an Newly Emerging
Democracy

Mike

Ramjee
Comparative Politics and Government
Pol 102 (01)
12/15/2013

For a state hosting its first democratic elections, the best type of electoral system would be an open list proportional representation system. This type of electoral system offers many benefits including battling corruption, fair representation of citizen’s interests and an overall more efficient and fair democratic system in regard to voter turnout and gender equality. In years past, many different forms of democracies and democratic voting systems have been tried and tested, and the open list proportional representation system has proved itself as a leading choice in electoral systems around the world. Many current leading state’s in both economic and human rights sector implement the system including Brazil, Italy, Japan, Sweden, and Switzerland. The open list proportional representation system truly pays respect to the origin of the word democracy, by giving the people the power.
In newly emerging democracies around the world, corruption takes place at different levels of government. One of these key levels of government is the electoral system of the state. Abuse of the electoral systems is far too common. A recent example can be found at the 2008 Zimbabwe national level elections, when President Robert Mugabe was sworn in for his sixth consecutive term as head of state (Aljazeera). There is widespread allegation of vote rigging from observers and even blatant video evidence (Aljazeera). It is especially hard for newly emerging democracies to put in place regulations and anti-corruption systems. Corruption in these newly emerging democracies can often take many years to eradicate, however it does disintegrate with every year of uninterrupted democracy (un). Corruption is also harder to find in open list proportional representation electoral systems as it is harder for one party to dominate the election. When too much power is horded by political actors, corruption is easy to fall into. The one party system of Russia has been a suspect of corruption for several years, even the Presidents anti-corruption fighters are accused of corrupted actions (Bloomberg). Gerrymandering is another form of corruption found in newly emerging democracies. This occurs when people in power change the borders of electoral districts to benefit their votes. Most recently, this was found prevalent in the 2012 United States Federal Election, when the Democrats received 1.4 million more votes for the House of Representatives, yet Republicans controlled the House by a 234 to 201 seat margin (ny times). Due to a broad spectrum of political parties elected in open list proportional representation electoral system, is it hard for one party to change electoral districts for their own benefit. Another safe guard against corruption in the open list proportional representation system is that unlike the closed list proportional representation electoral system, voters directly elect their specific representative. In a closed list proportional representation system, the party representative is chosen by the party after the election, making it less legitimate then the open list method. Clearly, an open list proportional representation electoral system is the answer to the problem of corruption in a newly emerging democracy.
Another key part to an electoral system in a newly emerging democracy is representation of the citizen’s interests. The citizen’s interests are best exemplified through the open list proportional representation system. In this electoral system, the state’s legislature will be in proportion to the concerns of the citizens. Minority and diverse ethnic groups have a fair voice in government actions. Equal representation will help reduce the possibility of conflict between minority and majority groups. In South Africa for example, the National African Congress agreed to use proportional representation so that white minorities would be ensured at least partial representation in the new parliament (google books page 3). Candidates running for office must take into account a wide range of voter’s interests. Labor groups and minorities often make up a significant percent of any given state’s population, and are needed to keep a country operating soundly. To provide the citizens the capability to further enhance their own existence, a variety of social programs must be considered during election campaigns. In Canada for instance, candidates might strongly voice their opinions towards education, healthcare, low income support and senior aid to gain voters. Every voter can chose the candidate they feel will represent them best, in return their voice is mirrored in legislature. Open list voting as opposed to close list helps ensure voter satisfaction. This way, the voter knows exactly who their vote is going towards, which is more legitimate then the party selecting who represents them. In the open list proportional representation electoral system, the one person one vote principle is held true. This principle is important as each representative should represent close to the same number of citizens in an ideal democracy. For instance, the United Kingdom the average seat in England, where the Conservatives are the strongest party, has 73,212 voters while the average seat in Labor-dominated Wales has just 56,531 voters (parliament?). Representation of citizen’s interests is a key aspect to any democracy. An open list proportional representation electoral system is the best way to ensure all citizens have fair representation in their state’s legislature.
In a newly emerging democracy, an overall efficient and fair democratic electoral system in regards to voter turnout and gender equality is crucial to its success. Increasing voter turnout and balancing the gender inequality can be achieved through the open list proportional representation system. This system has proven itself to raise numbers in both categories. Voter turnout is an important aspect to an election as it is a measurement of trust in one’s government. In nations with an open list proportional representation system put in place, voter turnout is generally ten-twelve percent higher than in nations using winner-take all elections (Boston review (link 5). In the open list proportional representation system, fair representation is dependent on voter turnout. Every vote helps a party win more seats, so voters have more incentive to participate, and parties have more incentive to mobilize their supporters. In addition, parties have a stronger aim to keep their supporters informed, and informed citizens are more likely to vote (boston). Gender equality is another issue in state’s the world over. Women representatives and their views on matter make a substantial difference in the type of legislation passed. The female vote, although often undervalued, can be extremely important to election outcomes. For example, a threat by women supporters of major parties in Sweden in the 1994 national election to form a new women’s party, led to women winning 41 percent of seats because major parties recruited more women candidates to obtain the female vote (boston). Our neighbors, the United States face gender equality problems of their own. Of people elected to National Congress in the United States, 362 are male, and 76 are female (only 17 percent) (http://thisnation.com/congress-facts.html). This number is considerably low taking into account the strength of the American women’s movement compared to state’s with low percentage of women in legislature. An open list proportional representation system opens the door for women to take office and can help even out gender inequality. In the states of Finland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden, 46 percent of senior government ministers and 38 percent of parliament are female (google books 2 gender). As you can now see, an overall fair and efficient democratic system in regard to voter turnout and gender equality can be achieved through the open list proportional representation system in newly emerging democracies.
Ultimately, the best electoral system for a newly emerging democracy is the open list proportional representation system. Its benefits are wide ranging and can help lead a new democracy to a bright future. The problems of corruption, fair representation of citizens interests, increased voter turnout and gender equality can call be solved leading to a more efficient and fair democratic experience for the citizens. The open list proportional representation system has proven itself as a leading choice in democracies across the world today, from Latin America to Japan. If a newly emerging democracy seeks to stay true to the democratic meaning of giving people the power, then the open list proportional representation system is the correct choice.