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Electoral Systems and Party Systems: A Two-Way Relationship

This study explores the relationship between electoral systems and party systems, challenging the classical theory and introducing a variable - the political configuration. Analyzing the 2008-2012 parliamentary elections, it concludes that the relationship is not one-way, but rather a two-way interaction.

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Electoral Systems and Party Systems: A Two-Way Relationship

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  1. Electoral Systemsand Party Systems- ATwo-Way RelationshipDaniel BUTI

  2. Theoretical premises • Maurice Duverger ("Les partispolitiques", 1951) - the effects of electoral systems on party systems: three sociological laws. • There is a rich literature that challenges, applies, checks, confirms or tones down Duverger's classical theory. • Regardless of the approach, the discussion starts from the existence of a relationship, with varying intensities, between the electoral systems and the party systems, which is unidirectional: from the electoral system to the party system.

  3. Statements • In the electoral system - party system relationship a variable must be introduced and taken into account: the political configuration; • Between the electoral system and the party system there is a two-way relationship; it can also work in reverse. • I support these allegations through a brief analysis of the 2008-2012 parliamentary elections.

  4. Electoral Formula • Law no. 35 / 2008: Deputies and Senators are elected by uninominal vote, according to the principle of proportional representation, in uninominal colleges. • Allocation of the seats is a two stages process: • At the level of electoral constituency; • At national level. • Assignment of the seats is a two stages process: • In the uninominal college, with an absolute majority of votes; • In the electoral constituency, based on proportional representation. • The law provides a mechanism to ensure proportionality through compensation - a complex proportional compensatory system.

  5. Parliamentary Election Results 2008 *Organizationsof citizens belonging to national minorities Total number of registeredelectors: 18464274

  6. The Format of the Party System The effective number of parties(N=1/Σs²): N = 3.27 • Multiparty system with dominant party • Bipolarization tendency

  7. Parliamentary Election Results 2012 * Organizations of citizens belonging to national minorities Total number of registeredelectors: 18423066

  8. The Format of the Party System The effective number of parties: N = 2.02 • A defectivetwo-party system • Major imbalance of the party system. The bipolar tendency observed in 2008 is no longer valid

  9. Conclusions • One electoral system – two party systems; • This reality questions the general thesis of the oneway relationshipbetween electoral system andthe party system. • Answer: introducing a variable - the political background; • The difference between the two analyzed party systems is due to this new variable; • In terms of comparative analysis, the electoral system acts as a dependent variable.

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