The Australian Electoral System: Origins, Variations and ConsequencesThe Australian Electoral System provides the first-ever comprehensive study of the design of Australian electoral systems. It focuses on the two electoral systems, both 'preferential', that are most closely associated with Australia: namely the alternative vote and the single transferable vote. The book covers four main themes. First, it traces the origins of Australia's electoral systems, explaining how and why Australia ended up with such a relatively unique arrangement. Second, it explores the range of variation in the detail of how the various schemes operate - variations which can have significant behavioural and electoral consequences. Third, it uses aggregate and survey data to systematically analyse the consequences of electoral system design. Fourth, it examines voter reaction to these systems, both in Australia and also cross-nationally. |
Contents
One Australian electoral system design | 1 |
Two Australias electoral systems 190283 | 21 |
Three Australias contemporary electoral systems | 47 |
Five The voter versus the party | 102 |
Six Compulsory voting party control and the voter | 121 |
Seven Preferential systems and voter satisfaction | 147 |
Eight Preferential voting and electoral system design | 166 |
Appendix | 180 |
195 | |
207 | |
Common terms and phrases
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