Ballot structure and satisfaction with democracy

This article analyses the influence of ballot structure over satisfaction with democracy. In line with previous literature, we hypothesize that some ballot structures - such as preferential ballots - generate more satisfaction with democracy than closed ones. Yet, we expect these differences to be e...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Bosch, Agustí|||0000-0003-3972-9619, Orriols, Lluís
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2014
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:126792
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/126792
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1080/17457289.2014.888434
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Ballot structure
Democracy
Descripción
Sumario:This article analyses the influence of ballot structure over satisfaction with democracy. In line with previous literature, we hypothesize that some ballot structures - such as preferential ballots - generate more satisfaction with democracy than closed ones. Yet, we expect these differences to be especially relevant among the more knowledgeable electorate, since any open ballot structure requires more sophisticated voters. Using CSES surveys, our results do not show a clear and simple relation between ballot openness and satisfaction with democracy as some previous research seems to suggest. Our findings rather suggest a more limited effect. Preferential ballots and open lists are the only ballot structures that generate more satisfaction, when compared to most of the remaining ballot structures. Yet, this relation is restricted only among the more knowledgeable electorate. The liberty of choice that ballot structure offers only concerns a reduced portion of the electorate, namely the more politically sophisticated one.