Elections and Electoral Systems Around the World: Evolution, Participation and the Introduction of Hybrid Models
Abstract
Drawing on a combination of theoretical perspectives and comparative analysis, this book offers a comprehensive examination of the role elections and electoral systems play in shaping democratic participation, representation and legitimacy.
Critically assessing existing classifications of electoral arrangements, Stoycho P. Stoychev introduces the concept of hybrid systems—Personalized Multi-Member (PMM) and List Single-Member (LSM)—as a refined approach to understanding the balance between majoritarian and proportional principles. Through empirical analysis of voter turnout trends and electoral system performance across diverse contexts, it sheds light on longstanding debates in electoral studies concerning populism, political polarization and the transformative impact of digital technologies.
Intended for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, this study contributes to the ongoing discourse on electoral system design and its implications for democratic performance and engagement.
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