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Ballot Structure, Political Corruption, and the Performance of Proportional Representation

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  • Daniel W. Gingerich

    (University of Virginia, dwg4c@virginia.edu)

Abstract

What is the relationship between ballot structure (the manner in which citizens cast their votes) and corruption related to the financing of politics? The author develops a principal agent—model which considers how differences in ballot structure may facilitate or impede attempts by parties to utilize the public administration as a source of electoral resources. Electoral systems which concentrate political career control in the hands of party leaders, such as closed-list proportional representation (CLPR) facilitate the use of the bureaucracy in this manner, whereas electoral systems that undermine party leader control, such as preferential-list proportional representation (PLPR), make it more difficult. The difference in the two systems rests with the degree of leverage enjoyed by party leaders vis-à -vis politically oriented bureaucrats. The capacity for favoritism under CLPR permits party leaders to reward militants who have engaged in risky behavior for the party; PLPR undercuts similar attempts to reward risky behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel W. Gingerich, 2009. "Ballot Structure, Political Corruption, and the Performance of Proportional Representation," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 21(4), pages 509-541, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jothpo:v:21:y:2009:i:4:p:509-541
    DOI: 10.1177/0951629809339805
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    References listed on IDEAS

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