Electoral System Design

The choice of electoral system is one of the most important institutional decisions for any democracy. Electoral systems define and structure the rules of the political game; they help determine who is elected, how a campaign is fought, the role of political parties, and most importantly, who governs. Furthermore, the choice of an electoral system can help to "engineer" specific outcomes, such as to encourage cooperation and accommodation in a divided society. Historically, however, it has been rare that electoral systems are deliberately chosen or carefully designed for the particular historical and social conditions of a country. In some cases, the choice has reflected the impact of colonialism; in others, the influence of neighbouring systems.

IDEA’s work in this area dates back almost to its establishment. A key output is the Handbook of Electoral System Design, which was published in 1997 and reprinted in 2002 due to high demand. The Handbook has been comprehensively revised to take into account lessons learned from elections held over the past years and recent developments in electoral system research and analysis and in 2005 IDEA launched the new version in an effort to support and encourage debate within the many societies that are considering the role of electoral systems in promoting political and democratic change.

It is an easy-to-use guide describing the world of electoral systems and what factors to consider when modifying or designing an electoral system. Created for policy-makers, politicians and election administrators it is also an excellent tool for students. The Handbook gives practical information explaining why certain countries choose different systems, and how other countries have modified inherited systems. It describes which electoral systems have proven advantageous for specific cultural, social and economic conditions, and how electoral systems can increase participation, reach-out to minorities and help instil faith in a sceptical electorate.