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Essay / Electoral System and Party System - 1777
If an electoral system produces a constituency that is too small, the result can have negative effects on party discipline and cooperation. While some countries have a large constituency and have multiple constituencies with several seats, there are examples of single constituency systems, such as in the Netherlands. This lack of broader representation can pit representatives against their party line, let me know (ASSD,212223, 126). In addition to the size of districts, the way candidates are elected can impact intra-party relations. A ballot encourages the selection of a candidate, while selection from a party list has huge implications for the MP's relationship with their party. If a constituency can be won by the candidate alone, the need for party discipline may increase, but if a representative's position in government rests on the people forming the party list, he or she has an incentive to comply (asdfg, 127). There may be an increase in party discipline and intra-party agreements in proportional systems that use both party lists and representatives, such as mixed member proportional. The cohesion needed to communicate and obey party lines increases with the ability to run for representative and obtain a position on a party list. Candidates must essentially cooperate along party lines or risk their position in most electoral systems. Strategically, it is in a party's best interest to keep its members willing to advance its agenda and have a durable base when they need to interact with other parties within a party.