In fact, in PR systems, access to mandates depends not only on inter-party competition (number of seats allocated to each party), but is, in addition, subordinated to the nature of intra-party competition (candidates competing with their running mates).

In these works, empirical results remain contrasted as most publications are based on individual case studies. A comparative empirical effort is therefore particularly necessary.

Firstly, this research project will empirically describe the dispersion of preference votes between candidates - for various elections over time and between countries. Two main indicators of intra-party competition are used: the Gini coefficient and the effective number of candidates. To this end, the project mobilizes various large-N collection techniques to manage the comparative database.

Secondly, the project tests four repertoires of hypotheses to explain how the degree of intra-party competition varies according to (1) variants of PR electoral systems, (2) structures of competition between parties, (3) patterns of candidate selection and (4) across different electoral cycles.

In conclusion, the aim of this project is to create an original comparative database that can be exploited by a broad community of social and political scientists.

Contact: Jérémy Dodeigne and Gert-Jan Put