Final answer:
Proportional representation refers to a voting system where parties receive legislative seats in proportion to their share of the vote, typically resulting in a multi-party system and better representation of diverse political views.
Step-by-step explanation:
Proportional representation is best described as a voting system where the number of seats a party wins is proportional to the number of votes it receives. This system ensures that all preferences in the electorate are reflected in the legislature, such that if a party wins a certain percentage of votes, it will receive approximately that percentage of the available seats. For example, if there are 100 seats in a legislative body and the Democratic Party receives 30% of the vote, they would be allotted roughly 30 seats. Proportional representation often results in a multi-party system and can include additional mechanics like thresholds to prevent very small parties from gaining seats. This stands in contrast to the plurality or 'first-past-the-post' systems, where the candidate with the most votes wins irrespective of whether they have an absolute majority, often leading to a two-party system.