What Electoral System do Political Parties Prefer? The Case of Spanish Regional Parliaments (1977-1983)

Authors

  • Jordi Calvet Crespo Universitat de Barcelona

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18042/cepc/rep.175.02

Keywords:

Electoral system, regions, autonomous communities, institutions, rules.

Abstract

This article focuses on party preferences for types of electoral systems in Spanish regional parliaments, during the founding period of regional institutions (1977-1983). According to the so-called micro-mega rule, big parties prefer restrictive systems that exclude minor political formations, while small parties prefer inclusive systems. We have tested this rule using preferences expressed by political parties themselves, using data from 57 complete proposals, involving all parties (12) and regions (17). The results refute the rule, because not all big parties behave as would be expected, while small parties are not always efficient in achieving their objectives. In sum, expectations regarding party preferences for founding institutional rules should not be reduced to aggregated party size.

Issue

Section

ARTICLES