Majority Voting as a Catalyst of Populism

Beschreibung

This timely book presents a critique of binary majority rule and provides insights into why, in many instances, the outcome of a two-option ballot does not accurately reflect the will of the people. Based on the author's first-hand experience, majority-voting is argued to be a catalyst of populism and its divisive outcomes have prompted countless disputes throughout Europe and Asia. In like manner, simple majority rule is seen as a cause of conflict in war zones, and of dysfunction in so-called stable democracies. In order to safeguard democracy, an all-party power-sharing approach is proposed, which would make populism less attractive to voters and governments alike. In geographically arranged chapters, well-tested alternative voting procedures (e. g. non-majoritarian Modified Borda Count) are presented in case studies of Northern Ireland, Central Europe, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Russia, China, North Korea and Mongolia.  


This timely book presents a critique of binary majority rule and provides insights into why, in many instances, the outcome of a two-option ballot does not accurately reflect the will of the people. Based on the author's first-hand experience, majority-voting is argued to be a catalyst of populism and its divisive outcomes have prompted countless disputes throughout Europe and Asia. In like manner, simple majority rule is seen as a cause of conflict in war zones, and of dysfunction in so-called stable democracies. In order to safeguard democracy, an all-party power-sharing approach is proposed, which would make populism less attractive to voters and governments alike. In geographically arranged chapters, well-tested alternative voting procedures (e. g. non-majoritarian Modified Borda Count) are presented in case studies of Northern Ireland, Central Europe, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Russia, China, North Korea and Mongolia.  


Offers a critique of binary voting procedures, supported by illustrative case studies Suggests all-party power-sharing should replace all forms of single-party or majority coalition majority rule Compellingly argues that majority-rule systems tend to promote conflicts and populism

Autor*in

Peter Emerson

Themen in »Majority Voting as a Catalyst of Populism«

Majority rule Democracy Plurality voting Electoral systems Voting mechanisms Inclusivity Consensus voting Power-sharing

Stimmen zu »Majority Voting as a Catalyst of Populism«

“This latest impressive book brings together his wealth of knowledge … . A key value added of his book is that he forces the reader to question foundational assumptions. … This book will be valuable for student of democratic processes, political science and conflict analysis.” (Valery Perry, democratizationpolicy.org, September 6, 2020)
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