PR Library: Online Resources on Proportional Representation

For those familiar with the basics of PR, here is a selection of online pieces written by scholars, political commentators, and activists that address some of the various political issues surrounding this electoral reform. The articles are divided into the topic areas listed below.

References to additional articles and books on each of these topics can be found in the Bibliography.

The Case for Proportional Representation

• Rob Richie and Steven Hill, “The Case for Proportional Representation.”
• FairVote, “Fixing Congress with Fair Vote Elections.”
• Steven Hill, “Fixing Elections:  America’s Winner Take All Politics.”
• Michael Lind, “Alice Doesn’t Vote Here Anymore.”
• Robert Barta, “An Argument for PR from the Right.”
• Steven Hill, “An Argument for PR from the Left.”
• Arend Lijphart, “PR vs. Single-Member Districts in States.”
• Douglas J. Amy, “Instant Runoff Voting:  No Substitute for Proportional Representation.”
• John Stuart Mill, Considerations on Representative Government, Chapter VII

Many of the most useful articles and books making the case for PR cannot be found on the Web. For citations on these materials, go to the Bibliography.

Organizations Promoting Proportional Representation

• FairVote.  A non-profit educational organization located in Washington D.C. This is the leading organization in the United States dedicated to educating the public about alternative elections systems.

• Californians for Electoral Reform. Much useful information about PR and especially on how to organize an effective campaign for PR in your community.

• FairVote Canada.  A site with a much useful information, including a good question and answer section.  The organization aims to educate Canadians about the inherent inequities in their current voting system and the strengths and weaknesses of various alternative systems, such as proportional representation.

• Electoral Reform Society Founded in England in 1884, the ERS is the longest continuous PR organization. This site contains particularly good information about the single transferable vote — the Society’s preferred form of PR. They also have an excellent analysis of the recent report issued by the Jenkins Commission that recommends a new voting system for British parliamentary elections.

• Proportional Representation Society of Australia Like the ERS, this organization is a long established proponent of PR, especially the single transferable vote (called “Hare Clark quota preferential voting”).

PR and the Representation of Minorities

• Douglas J. Amy, “Fair Representation for Minorities: Is Proportional Representation the Answer?”
• Steven Hill, “A Voting Rights Act at War With Itself.”
• Robert Richie, Douglas Amy, Frederick McBride, “How Proportional Representation Can Empower Minorities and the Poor.”
• Rep. Cynthia McKinney, “Proportional Representation:  Next Step for Democracy.”

Many of the most useful articles and books making the case for PR in the U.S. cannot be found on the Web. For citations on these materials, go to the Bibliography.

PR and the Representation of Women

• Steven Hill, “Why Does the U.S. Still have so Few Women in Office?”
• Richard E. Matland, “Enhancing Women’s Political Participation: Legislative Recruitment and Electoral Systems.”
• Gretchen Kelbaugh, “Proportional Representation and Women.”
• European Parliament, “Differential Impact of Electoral Systems on Female Political Representation.”
• Wilma Rule and Steven Hill, “Ain’t I a Voter” — Voting Rights for Women.”
• Cynthia Terrel, “How Can We Get More Women Elected?”

Many of the most useful articles and books making the case PR cannot be found on the Web. For citations on these materials, go to the Bibliography.

PR and Political Parties

• Steven Hill, “Standing on the Threshold of a Third Party Dream.”

• Douglas J. Amy, “How Proportional Representation Would Help Republicans and Democrats.”

• William Redpath, “Proportional Representation and the Libertarian Party.”

PR and Redistricting

• Eric Olsen, “Ugly Redistricting Map Spotlights System’s Flaws.”

• Lee Drutman, “Funny Shapes Aren’t the Problem with American Voting.”

• Reihan Salam, “The Biggest Problem with American Politics.”

• Douglas J. Amy, “How Proportional Representation Would Finally Solve our Redistricting and Gerrymandering Problems.”

The Policy Consequences of PR

• Darcie Roschen Cohen, “Do Political Preconditions Affect Environmental Outcomes? Exploring the linkages between Proportional Representation, Green parties and the Kyoto Protocol.”

• Vincenzo Verardi, “Electoral Systems, Poverty and Inequality.”

• Vicki Birchfield and Markus Crepaz, “The Impact of Constitutional Structures and Collective and Competitive Veto Points on Income Inequality in Industrialized Democracies.”

• Torben Iversen and David Soskice, “Electoral Institutions and the Politics of Coalitions: Why Some Democracies Redistribute More Than Others.”

The History of PR in the United States

• Douglas J. Amy, “A Brief History of Proportional Representation in the United States.”
• Robert Kolesar, “Communism, Race, and the Defeat of Proportional Representation in Cold War America.”
• Dan Prosterman, “History of Proportional Representation in New York City Council Elections in the 1930s-1940s.”
• Thomas Gilpin, “On the Representation of Minorities of Electors to Act with the Majority in Elected Assemblies.” (1844)
• Senator Charles Buckalew, “A 19th Century Champion of Democracy.”

Many of the most useful articles and books making the case for PR cannot be found on the Web. For citations on these materials, go to the Bibliography.

Criticisms of PR

• ACE: The Electoral Knowledge Network, “Disadvantages of PR Systems”

• Douglas J. Amy, “Common Criticisms of PR and Responses to Them”

• Electoral Reform Society,  “PR Myths.”

• Lauren Bain, “What’s Wrong with Proportional Representation.”

• Abigail Thernstrom, “Proportional Representation:  Destabilizing Idea.”

• George H. Hallett, Jr., “Objections to PR,” from Proportional Representation: The Key to Democracy (1940)

Many of the most useful articles and books making the case for PR cannot be found on the Web. For citations on these materials, go to the Bibliography.

General Information on Electoral Systems

• ACE:  The Electoral Knowledge Network

• International IDEA: Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance