Does increasing district magnitude increase the number of parties? Evidence from Spain, 1982–2011. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Singer, Matthew M.
• Is Part Of: Electoral studies. Volume 38(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 118
• Page End: 126
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Duverger's Hypothesis -- Electoral system reform -- Spain -- District-level analysis; Elections -- Periodicals; Voting -- Periodicals; 324.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electstud.2015.01.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-3794

Abstract

Highlights: District-level results from Spain, which redistributes seats while holding districtboundaries constant, provide evidence that exogenous changes in district magnitude change electoral dynamics. Adding seats to a district does not change the number of parties that run. Adding seats to a district results in increased fragmentation of votes and more parties winning seats in the election after district magnitude has increased. These results provide evidence that changes in electoral rules can reshape shape electoral patterns, although their effect is largest in small districts where fewer opportunities for small parties exist.