eBook details
- Title: Strong Patronage, Weak Parties
- Author : Paul D Hutchcroft
- Release Date : January 13, 2020
- Genre: Political Science,Books,Politics & Current Events,Public Administration,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 4201 KB
Description
The current combination of electoral systems in the Philippines essentially guarantees the perpetuation of weak and incoherent political parties. As long as parties are weak and lacking in coherence, the primary focus of political contention is much more likely to be on patronage and pork than on policies and programs. As political reformers seek to address these fundamental problems of the Philippine polity, there is no better place to start than through a well-constructed set of changes to the electoral system.
In this volume, expert contributors survey major types of electoral systems found throughout the world, explain their powerful influence on both democratic quality and development outcomes, and explore the comparative political dynamics of reform processes. A recurring theme is the virtue of a mixed electoral system involving some element of closed-list proportional representation — known internationally as one of the most effective means of building stronger and more coherent political parties. This, in turn, can be expected to encourage the emergence of a more policy-oriented (and less patronage-driven) polity.
Contents: A Foreword from the Asia FoundationElectoral System Redesign: An Opportunity for Effective Political Reform in the Philippines (Paul D Hutchcroft)Why (and How) Electoral Systems Shape Development Outcomes (Allen Hicken)Designing and Reforming Electoral Systems in Southeast Asia (Benjamin Reilly)When Does Electoral System Reform Occur? (Allen Hicken)Gender and the Electoral System: What Works for Women (Socorro L Reyes)Lessons from a Neighbor: The Negative Consequences of Indonesia's Shift to the Open List (Edward Aspinall)The Political Party Development Bill: Strengthening Parties Toward the Goal of Strengthening Philippine Democracy (Ramon C Casiple)Patronage Politics and Parties in the Philippines: Insights from the 2016 Elections (Meredith L Weiss)Untangling the Party List System (Julio C Teehankee)The Multi-Member Plurality System in the Philippines and its Implications (Nico Ravanilla)BibliographyContributorsIndex
Readership: Scholars and students of comparative politics and Asian studies. Policymakers, civil society advocates, development practitioners, proponents of gender equality and media professionals seeking better understanding of political reform options and the dynamics of political change. Readers interested in patronage, political party development, electoral system reform and contemporary Philippine politics.Philippine Electoral System;Philippine Democracy;Philippine Politics;Patronage System0Key Features:Must-read for those who care about elections in the PhilippinesDemonstrates how electoral system redesign is a critical first step to the overarching goals of promoting democratic accountability and consolidation