Mixed-Member Electoral Systems in Constitutional Context: Taiwan, Japan, and Beyond by Nathan Batto & Chi Huang & Alexander Tan & Gary Cos

Author:Nathan Batto & Chi Huang & Alexander Tan & Gary Cos
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: University of Michigan Press
Published: 2018-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

Conclusion

This chapter has analyzed new innovations in CSMs for legislative elections in Taiwan and Japan. While the origins of the polling primary in Taiwan and kobo in Japan both predate electoral reform, we argue that the shifts from SNTV to MMM created pressures for parties in both countries to intensify the use of these two institutions. Further, the effects of the changing electoral rules on CSMs need to be addressed in the context of the different constitutional systems of the two countries. Specifically, Taiwan’s semipresidential system deemphasizes legislative seniority while Japan’s parliamentary system always relies on senior MPs to form the government. Such contextual variance leads to the different purposes and scopes of the CSM reforms adopted by major parties in the two countries.

In Taiwan, where seniority is less valuable and incumbents are not protected, the parties converged on the use of the polling primary in strong districts. The polling primary has proven useful to the parties by successfully mediating intraparty conflict, and it is also beneficial to the general public to the extent that it is a disincentive to corruption. In Japan, where seniority is more valuable and incumbents are heavily protected, both major parties adopted kobo in weak districts. This allowed them access to a wider pool of potential candidates and helped to defuse charges that insiders were illegitimately monopolizing nominations.

Of course, the CSMs continue to evolve. In Taiwan, many worry that the polling primary harms intraparty democracy and party-building by leaving no role for party members to influence nominations. After the 2012 elections, there was discussion in both parties about reinstating some mix of closed primaries and polling primaries. Though neither party has opted Page 161 →for a change from the 2012 rules as of this writing, the parties continue to search for a CSM that will give party members a bigger role while still resolving conflict and discouraging corruption. In Japan, there are serious concerns about the effects of centralized kobo, which has proven useful for young and popular parties but has also hindered efforts to develop party institutions that can survive when a party’s fortunes decline. The decentralized version may prove more sustainable. It shows signs of taking root and has demonstrated some potential for intraparty democratization.

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