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Right-wing populism

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Elections

Electoral systems in the Member States of the European Union

July 2019, Werner T. Bauer, 104 pages

Electoral systems in the Member States der European Union. The study provides a so far unique compact overview of constitutions, forms of states and governments, parliaments, regional structures and above all electoral systems in the 28 Member States of the EU. As a precursor, it depicts the fundamental differences as well as the advantages and disadvantages of majority and proportional representation rights. Following this, it portrays the individual Member States, their national institutions and electoral systems. And it concludes with a comparing analysis of state and electoral systems. Due to the fact that this study also includes the most significant key figures of the states as well as listing the current heads of state and governments, it is an indispensable reference work for anybody with an interest in politics.

report, in German (pdf)

E-Voting in Europe

August 2018, 21 pages

With the possibilty of electronic voting or e-voting, digital progress has arrivied in politics as well. The focus lies on the development of reliable and secure systems that enable voting via the Internet. In times when more and more can be done „online“, this easy way of voting (especially among younger voters) could lead to a higher voter turnout. This sample collection gives an overview of the development of e-voting in Europe.

report, in German (pdf)

Majority, Proportional and other Electoral Systems. An Overview

February 2016, Dr. Werner T. Bauer, 16 Pages

In many democratic countries there is latent dissatisfaction with the prevailing electoral system and proposals for its reform are made. Countries with majority electoral systems want to see a better representation of all political forces. On the other hand, when faced with the many parties in parliament, countries with proportional electoral systems want to improve the capacity to govern. The present summary provides an overview of the most common electoral systems as well as the different ways votes are counted. The proposals for “minority-friendly majority voting rights” in Austria are also discussed. These and other methods of voting, counting, and weighting, such as cumulating, panachage, or crossing out candidates usually follow two competing goals. On the one hand, the goal is to consider the nuanced opinions of the people more, and, on the other, to more easily achieve majority coalitions.

report, in German (pdf)

Switzerland - a role model? Some remarks concerning the confederate "Direct Democracy"

June 2013, Werner T. Bauer, 6 pages

Of all western democracies, Switzerland has the most far-reaching direct democratic elements. These are evident at all political levels, hence in the municipalities, the 26 cantons and also at federal level, whereby their concrete configuration often greatly differs from municipality to municipality and from canton to canton. Whilst the fundamental meaningfulness of direct democratic proceedings in Switzerland is mainly undisputed, the question of greater integration in direct democratic proceedings in political decision-making processes is only addressed half-heartedly in this country. In general, the discussions circle around the question which positive invigorating effects have to be expected and which negative ones have to be feared respectively. The question whether and to what extent such instruments can be “forced” on existing traditions is only rarely asked.

report, in German (pdf)

The municipal foreigners’ right to vote in European comparison

January 2007, Werner T. Bauer, 15 Seiten

The question of integrating “people with migration background” does inevitably also raise the question of the municipal right to vote for non-citizens. Due to the current electoral law, an increasingly large part of the population is excluded from political representation. In particular in Germany, France and Austria, the countries with the highest proportion of foreigners in the overall population, migrants are denied the municipal right to vote with reference to the option of obtaining citizenship. However, the Scandinavian states, but also the Benelux countries show that this does not have to be the case.

report, in German (pdf)

When the number of voters falls - considerations on the problem of low voter turnout

August 2004, Werner T. Bauer, 29 pages

This study will make the attempt to briefly summarize the manifold causes for the increasing abstention from voting and to examine whether the recipes suggested are suited to counteract this development. The question as to whether falling voter turnout does actually exist or whether it is only the “excited alarmism” of some media and social scientists, who regard it among other as a legitimation for their own dealing with the subject, will also be answered.

report, in German (pdf)

Election campaign in Vienna - A documentation of election campaigns of the most important parties prior to the local elections in October 2005

December 2005, Andreas Höferl, Bela Hollos, Kurt Pichler, Thomas Liebich, Markus Holzer, 47 pages

The present study tries to document the election campaigns of the most important Vienna parties prior to the local elections in October 2005. The parties, which were represented in the Vienna state parliament and local council, were: the Social Democratic Party of Austria SPÖ, the Austrian People's Party ÖVP, the Greens, the Freedom Party of Austria FPÖ and the Alliance for the Future of Austria BZÖ, which separated from the latter in April 2005. Strategies and concepts, means of advertising and media work, events and all other essential elements of the respective election campaigns are documented in a concise way.

report, in German (pdf)

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