Electoral systemAn electoral system is a set of rules and mechanisms used to determine the results of an election. Electoral systems are used in politics to elect governments and also in non-political settings such as business, nonprofit organizations and informal organisations.
Proportional representationVoting system that makes outcomes proportional to vote totalsOn the left are the results of the last first-past-the-postelection in New Zealand before the implementation of mixed-member proportional representationin 1996. PR systems aim to align vote percentage with seat distribution.At-largeAt large (before a noun: at-large) is a description for members of a governing body who are elected or appointed to represent a whole membership or population (notably a city, county, state, province, nation, club or association), rather than a subset. In multi-hierarchical bodies, the term rarely extends to a tier beneath the highest division. A contrast is implied, with certain electoral districts or narrower divisions.Semi-proportional representationSemi-proportional representation characterizes multi-winner electoral systems which allow some representation of smaller parties or candidates, but produce results that do not always reflect the strength of the competing political forces in a way that is proportional to the shares of the votes they receive. Semi-proportional voting systems are between proportional systems like party-list proportional representation or single transferable vote and winner-take-all systems.Single non-transferable voteSingle non-transferable vote (SNTV) is a multi-winner electoral system in which each voter casts a single vote. Like first-past-the-post voting, SNTV uses basic plurality to allocate seats. Being semi-proportional, SNTV gives a chance for both small parties and large parties to be represented. Under SNTV, a single party seldom will take all seats in a city or district. SNTV is a combination of multi-member districts and each voter casting just one vote.
Duverger's lawIn political science, Duverger's law ( ) holds that in political systems with single-member districts and the first-past-the-post voting system, as in, for example, the United States and United Kingdom, only two powerful political parties tend to control power every election cycle. Citizens do not vote for small parties because they fear splitting votes away from the major party and allowing their opponents to win an election.Two-party systemA two-party system is a political party system in which two major political parties consistently dominate the political landscape. At any point in time, one of the two parties typically holds a majority in the legislature and is usually referred to as the majority or governing party while the other is the minority or opposition party. Around the world, the term is used to refer to one of two kinds of party systems.
Single-member districtA single-member district or constituency is an electoral district represented by a single officeholder. It contrasts with a multi-member district, which is represented by multiple officeholders. In some countries, such as Australia and India, members of the lower house of parliament are elected from single-member districts, while members of the upper house are elected from multi-member districts.
Political partyOrganization coordinating policy priorities and candidates for government positionsThe members of a political party, such as those of the Indian National Congress (pictured), coordinate to collectively achieve and use political power.
CandidateA candidate, or nominee, is a prospective recipient of an award or honor, or a person seeking or being considered for some kind of position. For example, one can be a candidate for membership in a group or election to an office, in which case a candidate selection occurs. "Nomination" is part of the process of selecting a candidate for either election to an office by a political party, or the bestowing of an honor or award.
Maurice DuvergerMaurice Duverger ( ; French:; 5 June 1917 – 16 December 2014) was a French jurist, sociologist, political scientist and politician born in Angoulême, Charente. Starting his career as a jurist at the University of Bordeaux, Duverger became more and more involved in political science and in 1948 founded one of the first faculties for political science in Bordeaux, France.Governing bodyA governing body is a group of people that has the authority to exercise governance over an organization or political entity. The most formal is a government, a body whose sole responsibility and authority is to make binding decisions in a taken geopolitical system (such as a state) by establishing laws.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.