Abstract

In this paper, the differences between two variations of proportional representation (PR), open-list PR and closed-list PR, are analyzed in terms of their ability to accurately reflect voter preference. The single nontransferable vote (SNTV) is also included in the comparison as a benchmark. We construct a model of voting equilibria with a candidate who is least preferred by voters in the sense that replacing the least-preferred candidate in the set of winners with any loser is Pareto improving, and our focus is on whether the least-preferred candidate wins under each electoral system. We demonstrate that the least-preferred candidate never wins under the SNTV, but can win under open-list PR, although this is less likely than winning under closed-list PR.

Highlights

  • Proportional representation (PR) is used in national elections in many countries

  • The difference in rules between open-list PR and closed-list PR is whether the order of candidates in each party list is determined by votes or by parties

  • The present analysis focuses on tie equilibria

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Summary

Introduction

Proportional representation (PR) is used in national elections in many countries. PR, voters can affect which candidates fill the seats allocated to each party list, whereas this is not the case under closed-list PR. Of the 53 countries, 37 use closed-list PR, while 16 use open-list PR.. There has been little formal analysis of the distinction between open-list PR and closed-list PR, because the focus of the literature has been on the differences between the majoritarian and the PR systems. It is relatively difficult to deal with the order of candidates in party lists.. The goal of this paper is to construct a formal model that enables us to deal with the order of candidates in party lists and clarify the differences between open-list PR and closed-list PR in terms of their ability to accurately reflect voter preference It is relatively difficult to deal with the order of candidates in party lists. The goal of this paper is to construct a formal model that enables us to deal with the order of candidates in party lists and clarify the differences between open-list PR and closed-list PR in terms of their ability to accurately reflect voter preference

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