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Representation and the Rules of the Game: An Electoral Simulation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 June 2009

Donna R. Hoffman
Affiliation:
University of Northern Iowa

Abstract

It is often a difficult proposition for introductory American government students to comprehend different electoral systems and how the rules of the game affect the representation that results. I have developed a simulation in which different proportional-based electoral systems are compared with a single-member plurality electoral system. In addition, the simulation can also serve to illustrate other concepts commonly introduced in introductory courses.

Type
The Teacher
Copyright
Copyright © The American Political Science Association 2009

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