Final answer:
The PR electoral system results in a multiparty system and sometimes requires the formation of a coalition government when no single party gains a majority. This contrasts with the two-party systems often found in countries with plurality voting methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the PR Electoral System, Multiparty System, and Coalition Government
The PR electoral system (Proportional Representation) is designed to allocate seats in the legislature in proportion to the number of votes each party receives.
This system often yields a multiparty system, where multiple political parties have the opportunity to gain seats in parliament, reflecting a wider range of public opinion and interests. In such systems, when no single party manages to secure an outright majority, the formation of a coalition government becomes necessary.
A coalition government is an alliance of different parties who come together to form a majority, which then allows them to elect a prime minister and form a cabinet.
Countries with PR voting systems, like many found in Europe, tend to have more access to public office for multiple parties, as opposed to the two-party system observed in countries using plurality voting methods.
However, one downside to a multiparty system with coalition governments is the potential for instability; if any party were to leave the coalition, the legislative majority could be lost.
Political parties in such settings need to negotiate and work together to maintain a stable government, which can result in compromises and collaborative policymaking.
Conversely, plurality or first-past-the-post voting systems, commonly found in presidential regimes like the United States, naturally lead towards a two-party system due to the mechanics of the voting process, as discussed in Duverger's law.