«Lista Sábana», Preferences and «Crossouts». Some Reflections Regarding the Electoral reform in Argentina

Abstract

The article focuses on one of the highlights of the debate arose from electoral reform in Argentina: the so-called “lista sábana”. According to the authors, despite the widespread belief that it would be the direct cause of serious problems for the functioning of democratic processes, so far no evidence can prove so. It also discusses some of the proposals to replace the “lista sábana” (like staggered elections and the strikeouts or preferences systems) and the results of its application in two experiments: Italy and the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego. The conclusion is that both cases evidence a number of effects also considered harmful for democratic functioning (clientelism, factionalism supporter, corruption, etc.).