Publisher: Pragma Publishing
Online publication date: December 2023
Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.62483/87045204
Attila Mráz and Annabelle Lever
ABSTRACT
Voters in European democracies regularly face ethical conflicts in deciding whether to vote, and if so, how. Some of these conflicts are unique to - and most are vastly shaped by - local political, social, or economic contexts. However, the kinds of ethical conflict voters face, as well as their severity, also depend on how electoral institutions in which voters make their choices are designed. This chapter surveys those features of electoral institutions which play a significant role in shaping European voters’ ethical conflicts. More specifically, the present chapter has the following two objectives:
While the chapter builds on empirical, descriptive findings concerning various electoral institutions, its purpose is to provide a normative map of the various issues that could arise in different empirical circumstances. It does not aim to solve ethical dilemmas or resolve conflicts of duty or moral reasons on voters’ behalf. Instead, the chapter supports decision-making in two ways. First, it offers considerations for voters to take into account in exercising their democratic rights - and their franchise, in particular. Second, it offers considerations for decision-makers to consider when designing electoral institutions.