Abstract:
This research aims to compare the consequences of the electoral reform on the change of the party system and representation in the parliament between Thailand and New Zealand. The results reveals that the change in electoral system affects the party system in both Thailand and New Zealand. To be specific, the party system in Thailand has been transformed from a multi-party system without a dominant party to a multi-party system with a dominant party with a possibility of a predominant party system. In case of New Zealand, the party system has been transformed from a two-party system to a multi-party system with dominant parties. However, the electoral reform is not an only factor that causes the change of the party system. There are also other related factors, such as political and economic contexts, and the electoral behaviour of the voters.In terms of representation in the parliament, this research examines four dimensions of representation, namely gender, age, education, and occupation. In addition, this research also assesses the representation of the minorities in New Zealand. The study finds that the electoral reform partially causes the change in representation. The obvious aspect is gender in which the number of female MPs in both countries have increased, as well as the numbers of minorities MPs in New Zealand. In terms of occupation, New Zealand has witnessed several new groups of occupation elected after the reform, but occupations of the elected MPs in Thailand has not changed much. The electoral reform has no effect on the change in age and education. It should be noted that the change in representation is the intended goal in New Zealand. By contrast, in Thailand, the change in representation was not among the reform's objectives.