In this article you will learn about Proportional Representation in Political Science.
Proportional Representation
Proportional Representation is a method of minority representation which is designed to ensure the representation of minorities in rough proportion to their numerical strengths. It states that only those candidates should be considered elected who are in a position to get a fixed and definite quota of votes and not just more votes than other candidates. It also tries to ensure that only a minimum number of votes may go to waste.
Two methods of proportional representation are popularly suggested for securing these objectives :
- The Single Transferable Vote Method or the Hare System, and
- The List Method or the List System.
Merits or Arguments in favour of Proportional Representation
1. Gives due Representation to all sections of Society : The chief merit of proportional representation is that it leads to the election of the candidates belonging to both majority and minority communities.
2. Fully Democratic : Since it gives an equal opportunity to the members of both the majority and minority communities, it is a fully democratic system of representation.
3. Minimum votes are wasted : In the Proportional Representation System, only a minimum number of votes go waste. This system is more useful than simple majority vote elections in which a large percentage of votes are not utilised because a candidate very often wins an election by polling as low as 25% votes.
4. Encouragement to minorities : Under this system, minorities get due representations in the legislature and executives. They feel greatly satisfied.
5. Majority cannot become dictatorial : Since all communities get representation in proportion to the strength of their population, the majority cannot behave in arbitrary and dictatorial ways.
6. Source of more Political Education : Under proportional representation, all sections of society get more involved in the political process, because all of these can get representation in the government. This acts as a source of more political education for all the people.
7. More respect for the Legislature : Since all sections of the society are duly represented in the legislature, the people give more respect and support to the laws made by the legislature.
8. Helpful for securing National Integration : Proportional Representation encourages the minorities to actively participate in the national main-stream. This leads to better national integration.
9. Suitable for Multi-party System : In a state with a multi-party system, all the political parties are in a position to secure representation in the legislature. Proportional Representation ensures due representation for all larger and smaller political parties.
10. Benefits of Multi-member Constituencies : Proportional Representation system works through multi-members constituencies. The people of each constituency elect 3 to 15 representatives. Naturally, they can get their needs and demands fulfilled by all these representatives.
11. Wider representative base of the Government : Since all the political parties are in a position to get representation in the legislature, the government enjoys a wider support base. Its credibility is more. It enjoys the support of both the majority and minority communities.
12. Successfully working in several states : Proportional Representation system has been successfully in operation in several states of the world. It enjoys good popularity in these states.
This article on Proportional Representation in Political Science is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.