Playing by the rules: The impact of electoral systems on emerging green parties

Abstract

A strange political phenomenon is occurring across Europe and throughout many other western nations, one that is known as the "green party phenomenon" (Müller-Rommel). As concern for the environment increases throughout much of the developed world, citizens have joined together to give a voice to the fragile ecosystem in which we live. For the past forty years green parties have formed in numerous countries and their impact is being noticed in Congresses, Parliaments, and other legislatures around the world. But what determines whether or not these new parties will survive? The electoral system in which a party emerges is a key factor in the party's rate of success. This essay provides an overview of ten of the electoral systems currently in use around the world today. A concentrated look at each electoral system gives us a better understanding of how parties operate within the rules, each system.

By delving deeper and exploring a few nations that use each system, we can uncover which electoral systems tend to promote Green Party emergence and growth. The nations used in this study range from Scandinavia to the South Pacific, from Canada to Cameroon. Just as there are minor differences that make the electoral system use in each country unique, there are veritable distinctions between Green Parties in each nation. After exploring electoral systems in greater depth, I find that more Green Parties currently operate in proportional representation systems than in any other electoral system. Furthermore, plurality systems are least likely to host a Green Party.