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A New Quota Approach to Electoral Disproportionality

Author

Listed:
  • Miguel Martínez-Panero

    (PRESAD Research Group, BORDA Research Unit, IMUVa, Departamento de Economía Aplicada, Universidad de Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain)

  • Verónica Arredondo

    (PRESAD Research Group, Unidad Académica de Matemáticas, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98000, Mexico)

  • Teresa Peña

    (PRESAD Research Group, BORDA Research Unit, IMUVa, Departamento de Economía Aplicada, Universidad de Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain)

  • Victoriano Ramírez

    (Departamento de Matemática Aplicada, Universidad de Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain)

Abstract

In this paper electoral disproportionality is split into two types: (1) Forced or unavoidable, due to the very nature of the apportionment problem; and (2) non-forced. While disproportionality indexes proposed in the literature do not distinguish between such components, we design an index, called “quota index”, just measuring avoidable disproportionality. Unlike the previous indexes, the new one can be zero in real situations. Furthermore, this index presents an interesting interpretation concerning transfers of seats. Properties of the quota index and relationships with some usual disproportionality indexes are analyzed. Finally, an empirical approach is undertaken for different countries and elections.

Suggested Citation

  • Miguel Martínez-Panero & Verónica Arredondo & Teresa Peña & Victoriano Ramírez, 2019. "A New Quota Approach to Electoral Disproportionality," Economies, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jecomi:v:7:y:2019:i:1:p:17-:d:211159
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Galina Borisyuk & Colin Rallings & Michael Thrasher, 2004. "Selecting Indexes of Electoral Proportionality: General Properties and Relationships," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 38(1), pages 51-74, February.
    2. Moshe Koppel & Abraham Diskin, 2009. "Measuring disproportionality, volatility and malapportionment: axiomatization and solutions," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 33(2), pages 281-286, August.
    3. Loosemore, John & Hanby, Victor J., 1971. "The Theoretical Limits of Maximum Distortion: Some Analytic Expressions for Electoral Systems," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 1(4), pages 467-477, October.
    4. Balinski, Michel & Ramirez, Victoriano, 1999. "Parametric methods of apportionment, rounding and production," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 37(2), pages 107-122, March.
    5. Tom Van Puyenbroeck, 2008. "Proportional Representation, Gini Coefficients, and the Principle of Transfers," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 20(4), pages 498-526, October.
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