ABSTRACT
This chapter is devoted to the dispute about the 'best' system of voting, a dispute which can be approached in two very different ways. 1 The first approach raises an abstract theoretical question: given the properties of various voting systems, is one clearly 'the best', and on what basis do we evaluate them to decide? The second approach is more practical: would the overall shape of the political system under a different electoral system to that currently employed in Britain be preferable? Of course, if we can identify the 'best' system, we seem to have an answer to the practical question. But there are good reasons for trying to answer the question in the abstract, before thinking about the consequences of adopting another electoral system in Britain.
