Comparing Electoral Systems, by David M. Farrell

Second paragraph of third chapter:

In terms of the three main features of electoral systems introduced in the previous chapter, the main point of distinction between the majoritarian systems and FPTP is over the ‘electoral formula’; there are also some differences over ‘ballot structure’. The electoral formula distinction may appear quite simple, but it is seen as crucial by the proponents of majoritarian systems. Instead of requiring only a plurality of votes (i.e. more votes than any of the other candidates but not necessarily an overall majority) in order to win the seat, a candidate must get an overall majority (i.e. at least 50 per cent plus one), hence the title ‘majoritarian’ systems.

A survey of electoral systems published in 1997; I very vaguely know the author, whose father was a colleague of my father’s, and I know several of his cousins rather better.

This is basically a survey of electoral systems in the sense of formulae for translating votes cast into seats won, and goes through first-past-the-post, second ballots, alternative vote, list systems, additional member systems and finally the Single Transferable Vote, which is of course the best system of them all (surely an uncontroversial conclusion).

It’s thorough and informative, though I regret that there is not more Eastern Europe in it – by 1997, many of the new democracies were in their second or third electoral cycle and could have supplied useful data. Nowadays we have seen stable multi-party systems emerge in many parts of the world, and also electoral innovation even in the UK.

I see that a third edition of the book is coming out in November, at an eye-watering price; you can still get the 1997 edition here.

Next and last of my lost-but-found books on elections purchased in 2016 is Political, Electoral and Spatial Systems, by the late great Ron Johnston.