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The fragmented Lok Sabha: a case for electoral engineering

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Dutta, Bhaskar. (2009) The fragmented Lok Sabha: a case for electoral engineering. Economic and Political Weekly, Vol.44 (No.17). pp. 93-100. ISSN 0012-9976

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Abstract

Where there are numerous small political parties, as in
India, the electoral system neither reflects the true views
and opinions on important social and economic issues
nor does it incorporate “social inclusiveness” . The
fragmentation in our legislature can be corrected
through appropriate electoral engineering. This study is
an attempt to do so. It describes how the composition of
the Lok Sabha has changed since 1967, paying particular
attention to the trends in indices of fragmentation. It also
discusses issues relating to the “ideal” composition of a
legislature and of a government.

Item Type:

Journal Article

Subjects:

D History General and Old World > DS Asia
J Political Science > JQ Political institutions (Asia, Africa, Australia, Pacific Area, etc.)

Divisions:

Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):

India. Parliament. Lok Sabha, Elections -- India, Politics, Practical -- India, India -- Politics and government, India -- History

Journal or Publication Title:

Economic and Political Weekly

Publisher:

The Economic and Political Weekly

ISSN:

0012-9976

Official Date:

25 April 2009

Dates:

Date	Event
25 April 2009	Published

Volume:

Vol.44

Number:

No.17

Page Range:

pp. 93-100

Status:

Peer Reviewed

Access rights to Published version:

Open Access

References:

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Lijphart, A (1995): Electoral Systems and Party Systems: A Study of Twenty-Seven Democracies, 1945-90 (Oxford: Oxford University Press).
Norris, P (2004): Electoral Engineering: Voting Rules and Political Behaviour (New York: Cambridge University Press).
Persson, T and G Tabellini (2000): Political Economics: Explaining Economic Policy (MA: MIT Press).
Rae, D (1967): The Political Consequences of Electoral Laws (New Haven: Yale University Press).
Roubini, N and J Sachs (1989): “Political and Economic Determinants of Budget Deficits in the Industrial Democracies”, European Economic Review, Vol 33, pp 903-38.
Sridharan, E (2002): “The Fragmentation of the Indian Party System 1952-99: Seven Competing Explanations” in Z Hasan (ed.), Parties and Party Politics in India (New Delhi: Oxford University Press).
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Yadav (1999): “Electoral Politics in the Time of Change: India’s Third Electoral System, 1989-99”, Economic & Political Weekly, Vol 34, No 34-35 (21 August-3 September), pp 2393-99.

URI:

http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/881

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