ADVANCING REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY THROUGH ELECTORAL SYSTEMS

Abstract

Representative democracy is the voice of citizens in the representative bodies. It was born in parallel with electoral systems. Representative democracy is constantly changing, complemented, alternated, depending on social, economic, political, or cultural changes. It is advanced and strengthened by the strengthening of the rule of law. Electoral systems are ways and instruments through which the political will of the citizens is voiced.
The advancement of representative democracy through electoral systems can be achieved by applying the electoral system that would best fit to a country. States continually make efforts, by defining one of the electoral systems, claiming to advance the representative democracy. Determining and designing the electoral system is one of the biggest challenges institutions within a state faces. The electoral system should be: technically simple, legally protected, easy to understand by the citizens, and be clear and competitive. Most importantly are the majority and proportional system. Both system are electoral systems: technically simple, legally easier to be defended, easier to understand by voters and empowers competing aspirations. These two electoral systems have helped in the advancement of the representative democracy in some Western European countries. In recent years, these systems are also applying to states with fluid democracy