Good Thoughts on Proportional Representation by Old Voices - W.G. Moncrieff, J.A. Stevenson, Prof. Ware, and others
- Tom Monto
- Jun 2
- 4 min read
"Representation determined by numbers",
is likely as good a definition of PR as any.
under PR:
representation of parties is in line with parties' shares of votes
those who have more votes are elected;
those with fewer votes are not elected.
I found the phrase "Representation determined by numbers", in the 1871 book Party and Government by Party.
by W.G. (William Glen) Moncrieff,
London (Ontario) Presbyterian reverend and free-thinker.
The book's epigraph is: "Liberty not only tolerates, but respects the independent judgement of all free citizens" (from May's Constitutional History of England, vol. 2, p. 72).
Moncrieff's book was a criticism of party voting and party discipline.
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The 1920 Canadian Council of Agriculture pamphlet PR A Truly Democratic Form of Voting for Governments,
by "J.A.S." (J.A. Stevenson),
provided 10 ways plurality elections are NOT determined by numbers and how plurality contests are disadvantageous:
1. majorities and minorities in our legislatures are not in proportion to the voting strengths in the country
2. minorities are constantly disenfranchised
3. in many districts the minority is permanently disenfranchised.
4. A minority of the electorate may secure a majority of the seats.
5. A small turnover of votes has an effect out of all proportion to its number.
6. A slight alternation in the boundary of a district may alter its representation, and gerrymandering is thereby encouraged.
7. Party machinery is given an unfortunate control in politics.
8, the venal minority that exists in all districts is put in a strategic position to influence elections.
9. Independent men who cannot accept in full a party programme are debarred form any chance of election and kept out of public life.
10. in many districts that are hopelessly one-sided, the minority voters cease to take any interest in politics.
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Ware's list
(list composed by Professor William R. Ware of the Harvard University, in 1871)
About 150 years ago, Professor William R. Ware lobbied for using STV for elections within the University.
He came up with 16 advantages of STV over FPTP. STV at the time was the only form of PR being considered.
Professor William R. Ware's 16 benefits of STV
1. It protects the minority from the tyranny of the majority.
2. It protects the minorities and majorities from the tyranny of the party chiefs.
3. It permits the utmost freedom of individual action. [for both voter and candidate]
4. it secures the most perfect co-operation and organization.
5. It gives every elector a representative after his own heart, whom he has actually helped to elect.
6. It gives representatives a constituency who are unanimous in his support.
7. It give the representative a certain security in the tenure of his place.
8. It affords a natural and reasonable method of rotation in office.
9. It makes for the interest of every party to put forward its best men.
10. It makes it worthwhile for good men to become candidates.
11. It is equally efficient whether one candidate is to be chosen or a dozen.
12. It is available in the filling of vacancies as well as in the general elections.
13. It is easy for the elector to cast his vote intelligently.
14. It is not difficult to count the votes with precision and promptness.
15. Hardly a ballot is ultimately thrown away.
16. Every ballot is assigned just as the voters who casts it desires."
(I have expanded and commented on these in the Montopedia blog: Benefits of Proportional Representation)
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John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton
The History of Freedom and other essays (1907)
from p. 98-99:
The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority. that succeeded, by force or fraud, in carrying elections. To break off that point is to avert the danger. The common system of representation perpetuates the danger. Unequal districts afford no security to majorities. Equal districts give none to minorities. Thirty-five years ago, it was pointed out that the remedy is proportional representation. It is profoundly democratic for it increases the influence of thousands who would otherwise have no voice in the government; and it brings men more near an equality by so contriving that no vote shall be wasted, and that every voter shall contribute to bring into Parliament a member of his own opinions.
The origin of the idea is variously claimed for Lord Grey [Earl Grey] and for Considerant. The successful example of Denmark and the earnest advocacy of [John Stuart] Mill gave its prominence in the world of politics. It has gained popularity with the growth of democracy, and we are informed by M. Naville that in Switzerland Conservatives and Radicals combined to promote it.
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