Progresywna proporcjonalność jako cecha systemu wyborczego

Abstract

Systems of proportional division of seats between parties, based on the results of the election, and between constituencies on the basis of demographic data, are usually judged on the basis of the compatibility of the final divisions with the criterion of proportionality. In certain situations, moving away from a straightforward proportionality towards degressive or progressive proportionality is intentional and should not be considered as a form of error. This issue has already been analyzed with regard to the degressively proportional distribution of seats, primarily in the context of the distribution of seats between the national delegations in the European Parliament. In this paper, however, I focus on the question of the progressive proportionality of division of seats between parties and propose a tool for measuring the strength of progressivity of division. I use the new measure to describe electoral systems in European countries, as well as to assess the impact of the size of the constituency and the apportionment method used (d'Hondt or Sainte-Lague) on the progressivity of the distribution of seats.