What is the purpose of proportional representation?

The purpose of proportional representation is to better represent the political, social, and economic views in the legislature. This electoral system is designed so that the number of seats held by a party in the legislature reflects the overall share of votes that party receives in an election. This method of representation allows for a broader spectrum of political perspectives and helps ensure that minority views within the electorate are also represented.

In a proportional representation system, smaller parties have a fair chance of gaining seats, which can lead to a more collaborative and multi-faceted legislative process. This contrast with winner-takes-all or majoritarian systems, where larger parties may dominate and smaller ones could be entirely shut out of representation. Thus, the goal of proportional representation is to reflect the diversity of opinions and socioeconomic backgrounds within the electorate, ultimately contributing to a more reflective and responsive government.