Topic: Politics, Law and Government / Politics (General)

 
Behind the Ballot Box
A Citizen's Guide to Voting Systems
Douglas J. Amy
978-0-31300-245-8

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Behind the Ballot Box

A Citizen's Guide to Voting Systems

Douglas J. Amy Douglas J. Amy

September 2000

Praeger

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Pages
Volumes
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Hardcover
248
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6 1/8x9 1/4
 
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eISBN
978-0-275-96585-3
978-0-313-00245-8
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$115.00

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Interest in voting systems and voting system reform is growing in the United States. Voting systems—the procedures by which we cast votes and elect our public officials—are a crucial part of the democratic election process. The decision to use one kind of voting system rather than another has far-reaching political consequences. Among other things, voting systems help to determine which officials are elected to run our governments, the variety of parties that voters have to choose from at the polls, whether political minorities can win any representation, and whether the majority will rule.

Amy gives readers all the information and analytical tools needed to make intelligent choices among voting systems. He provides a set of political criteria that can be used to judge voting systems and gives detailed descriptions of all the common voting systems used in the United States and other Western democracies, including winner-take-all systems as well as proportional representation systems. He also provides an analysis of the various political advantages and disadvantages associated with each type of system. This is an important guide for citizens, government officials, political activists, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about voting systems and their political implications.
Preface
Introduction
What Are Voting Systems and Why Are They Important?
Criteria for Evaluating Voting Systems
Plurality-Majority Voting Systems
Proportional Representation Voting Systems
Semi-Proportional Voting Systems
Voting Systems for Single-Office Elections
Making Your Final Choice
Appendixes
Selected Bibliography
Index
Endorsements
This is an essential book for anyone who wants to make an informed choice about what voting system best fits a community or state.—Rob Richie^LExecutive Director^LThe Center for Voting and Democracy

Finally, a well-written and comprehensive guide to how voting systems work and why they are so important to the democratic process. This useful and thought-provoking book is essential reading for anyone interested in revitalizing American elections and creating a more representative and responsive government.—Lani Guinier^LProfessor^LHarvard Law School

Doug Amy's clearly organized and lucid explanation of how electoral systems work provides a framework for constructive debate.—Kathleen L. Barber^LProfessor of Political Science (retired)^LJohn Carroll University





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