Skip to main content
Log in

Duverger's Law and the Study of Electoral Systems

  • Review Article
  • Published:
French Politics Aims and scope

Abstract

Since its first publication in 1951, Duverger's Political Parties has influenced an entire branch of political science devoted to the study of the political consequences of electoral laws. This essay examines the two propositions known as Duverger's law and Duverger's hypothesis, both concerned with how electoral institutions shape party systems. First explaining the propositions and their context, the essay examines their influence on political science, and concludes by assessing where future research in the area might be best concentrated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Benoit, K. Duverger's Law and the Study of Electoral Systems. Fr Polit 4, 69–83 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.fp.8200092

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.fp.8200092

Keywords

Navigation