partiilist

Partiilist is a term not widely used in established political science; it may refer to two related ideas. First, a partiilist can denote an advocate of party-list electoral systems, a form of proportional representation where voters cast ballots for parties rather than individual candidates. Second, it can describe a person responsible for compiling or maintaining lists of political parties or party candidates for elections.

In debates about electoral reform, partiilists argue that party-list systems improve proportionality and reduce wasted votes, and can simplify ballots for voters who prefer party loyalty. The system is realized in variations such as closed lists, where the party determines the order of candidates, and open lists, where voters can influence individual ranking.

Critics contend that party-list systems can weaken accountability of MPs to local constituencies and concentrate power within party leadership; they may also lead to higher thresholds and party fragmentation. The choice between closed and open lists involves trade-offs between voter influence and party control.

Global usage: various democracies use party-list proportional representation, including several in Western Europe and the Americas. Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, and Italy have historically used party-list approaches; Brazil employs open-list proportional representation, while South Africa uses a closed-list system for its national legislature.

See also: proportional representation, party-list system, open list, closed list.