Proportional-representation systems are meant to correct these defects.

ECONOMIST: Blair��s genie

New systems of proportional representation have been introduced for elections in Scotland and Wales, and for the European Parliament, in place of Britain's time-honoured system of first-past-the-post.

ECONOMIST: Britain

All the rest have either preferential voting systems (Australia and France) or proportional representation in one form or another.

ECONOMIST: From the archive