proportional representation
4
5.3
- noun
- /prəˈpɔrʧənəl ˌrɛprɪzɛnˈteɪʃən/
- Specialized
:
representación proporcional
- Voters prefer an electoral system that ensures proportional representation for all groups based on their overall support.
- proportional representation system
- proportional representation election
- proportional representation party lists
Examples
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And to this day, the Liberals are still pushing for proportional representation in the United Kingdom.
Blog text (1) -
But as the European elections are based on proportional representation, attaining office is much easier.
Academic text (1994) -
Yet, given their limited electoral success, they could not claim proportional representation.
Academic text (1995) -
There is no suggestion that proportional representation is a goal.
Academic text (2003) -
After 2001, Israel abandoned the direct election of the Prime Minister and returned to a more straightforward proportional representation system.
Academic text (2013) -
So I think most of the democracies of the world use what we call proportional representation, that parties run, not candidates by and large.
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The first is the substantial underrepresentation of women in military service compared with their proportional representation in the labor force.
Academic text (2003) -
"The European Parliament is elected on the basis of proportional representation, which is not true representation."
Blog text (31) -
The reform group also advocated proportional representation for minority factions.
Academic text (1993) -
As Darcy et al. contend, proportional representation favors multiparty competition, whereas district systems favor two major parties.
Academic text (1994)
How Represented
- Specialized
4
5.3
- Formal
135
4.1
1
6.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: combining 'proportional' (in proportion) with 'representation' (act of representing) yields a system where representation is allocated according to proportions (e.g. votes). This construction is also found across many languages (e.g. Spanish 'representación proporcional', French 'représentation proportionnelle'), so learners who know both constituents can readily infer the electoral sense.
Etymology
Proportional representation may come from the simple image of cutting a cake so each party gets a slice that matches its share of votes. So proportional means 'matching in size' and representation means 'having seats', which explains why the system gives parties seats 'in proportion to the number of votes' they win.