1. Elections

2. Why… …have elections become so in vogue? Democracy is a happy word!
Give voters choice
Allow state to mobilize citizens

3. Electoral Systems Single Members District Plurality
Proportional Representation
List PR
Duverger’s Law
Conditions for SMDP Bias
Small party has strength concentrated, may not be hurt by SMDP
Fewer districts  more likely small parties will be hurt

4. Electoral Systems Which leads to more participation?
Which leads to closer ties between citizen and government?

5. Paradox of Voting Is it irrational to take the time to vote?
Vote v. die on ways to poll
Two issues
Individual-level
Who benefits from voting?

6. Bases of Choice
Issues
Party identification
Social groups
Demographics