Choosing the Who, the What, and the How: Maximizing Accountability and Representation through European Electoral Systems

Abstract

The question of whether or not it is possible to maximize both responsibility and representation is a potentially problematic one. This paper first explores what is meant by responsibility and representation, and then moves on to an examination of different electoral systems in an effort to develop an idea of how the maximization of both responsibility and representation can occur. By considering both the main characteristics and specific examples of each type of electoral system – plurality and majority system, and proportional representation (PR) systems – it becomes evident that the maximization of both responsibility and representation is possible.