Do electoral systems affect how citizens hold their government accountable? Evidence from Africa

Abstract

A large body of literature suggests that electoral system type has an impact on voting behaviour, but little work has been done looking at its effects on other forms of democratic accountability, such as contacting elected representatives and protesting. Using data from 36 African countries, we find that the type of electoral system has a significant relationship with these other forms of participation. Citizens in PR systems are significantly more likely to protest than those in majoritarian ones, while those in majoritarian systems are more likely to contact elected representatives. We argue that this is because the connection between citizens and representatives in majoritarian systems is clearer, closer, and more responsive, making contact an effective strategy and providing an efficient "safety valve" when citizens want to hold their government accountable. The lack of a similar connection in most PR systems, in contrast, leads citizens to turn to protest more regularly.

Participatory Inequality Across Countries: Contacting Public Officials Online and Offline

“…I focus exclusively on Western democracies, yet the patterns of participatory inequality may differ across the globe. For example, Huang et al (2017) and Lockwood and Krönke (2021) do not find income differences in contacting. The studies using the LAPOP do not show gender differences (see Table 1 ).…”

“…Huang et al (2017) study 13 countries using the Asian Barometer Survey. Lockwood and Krönke (2021) study 36 countries using the Afrobarometer. Several studies use the European Social Survey (Carreras, 2018;Grasso, 2016;Mattila & Papageorgiou, 2017;Stockemer & Rapp, 2019).…”

“…On this four-point scale, the average level of political interest is 2.57 (SD = .97). Studies consistently find political interest correlates with contacting officials, but demographic differences persist despite the inclusion of political interest ( Aars & Stromsnes, 2007 ; Best et al, 2008 ; Boulding & Holzner, 2020 ; Cao & Brewer, 2008 ; Lockwood & Krönke, 2021 ; Mattila & Papageorgiou, 2017 ; Park & Perry, 2008 ; Thananithichot, 2012 ).…”

“…Political efficacy is also correlated with contacting officials. Again, studies account for the role of political efficacy, but demographic differences persist ( Aars & Stromsnes, 2007 ; Dalton, 2017 ; Li & Marsh, 2008 ; Lockwood & Krönke, 2021 ; Mattila & Papageorgiou, 2017 ; Thananithichot, 2012 ). Three studies found political efficacy was not a significant predictor of contacting officials ( Hsieh & Li, 2014 ; Park & Perry, 2008 ; Vaccari et al, 2015 ).…”

Multiparty Activism in Uganda: The Experience of National Resistance Movement and National Unity Platform

“…They argued that once individuals internalize that their party agenda serves their socio-economic and political interests, it is easier for them to frame their line of support and action for the party activities to pursue their interests. In the same vein, Lockwood and Kronke (2018) ;Vecchione et.al. (2015) in their studies emphasized demographic factors such as age, income, education, and gender, and performance of the government as being important in arousing citizen political activism.…”