Electoral Systems and Their Fairness

The fairness of electoral systems is central to the ongoing debate among political scientists, especially in light of the upcoming significant elections worldwide. Proportional representation has gained favor among voters in democracies, as it aligns party representation more closely with actual vote shares, leading to higher approval ratings and voter turnout in wealthier nations. However, other systems, such as first-past or majoritarian systems, remain prevalent due to their advantages in accountability, where voters can directly associate outcomes with specific candidates. This complexity raises questions about the best practices for promoting democratic resilience while preventing harmful partisanship.