Publisher's Synopsis
Electoral participation is in general falling, at least as measured by voter turnout. Rising levels of public apathy or cynicism are of growing concern in both newer and older democracies, and are a particular focus of concern in Western Europe. At the same time, there are continuing obstacles and disincentives to participation that could be diminished by adapting electoral systems or encouraging easier electoral access for all. Not enough is yet known about which practical measures are effective in encouraging turnout, and which are not. Nor are the factors which breed apathy and discontent with democratic institutions themselves sufficiently understood. There are currently very few tools available to assist the informed consideration of turnout questions. To follow the world-wide Voter Turnout Database, IDEA is pleased to present this Regional Report on Turnout in Western Europe, which is timed to coincide with the 2004 elections to the European Parliament. The Report brings together an unrivalled set of data on parliamentary, presidential and European elections in the region. It amasses the information necessary to analyse the gap between turnout in national elections and European elections, on which further work is planned by IDEA. It analyses the impact of factors affecting voter turnout trends in the region generally, ranging from choice of polling day through electoral system choice to longevity of democracy. It considers the effects of compulsory voting and of the successes and limitations of the use of new technology in encouraging turnout. This Report is designed to provide all those engaged in the turnout debate with the basis for the development of new insights and policy recommendations. It is a step within IDEA's programme of work to develop practical knowledge on voter turnout. It puts forward ideas, poses questions, and tests some answers against the hard data which it provides. I hope that it will make a contribution to the continuing debate on participation and democracy.
