Ordynacje wyborcze w procesach demokratyzacji

Abstract

In the article author discusses the problem of the effects of electoral law and the way it is used to reach particular political aims in the process of democratization. In the beginning there are several theoretical remarks about political effects of electoral law. Then the author describes three European cases of the transition to democracy from the point of view of the choice of electoral law: Spain, Ukraine and Hungary. In each country the choice of electoral law was an important element of the process of democratization, various aspects of its functioning were analysed, particularly the way it affects the shape of parliament, executive and even party system. Each described case shows that the effects of the electoral law are possible to forsee only to a certain extent, particular political and even cultural factors which are present in each country also heavily influence the results of elections apart from the rules of electoral law. The conclusion of the article is that altough the choice of electoral law is very important and should be done carefully, it should also be remembered that its function as a tool to reach political aims, particularly in the short pespective, are very limited.