O bipartidarismo em Cabo Verde: a dinâmica do surgimento dos terceiros partidos e a magnitude dos distritos

Abstract

This article examines the bipartisan system, which has characterized democracy in Cape Verde since 1991, and evaluates the extent to which the electoral system can be blamed for this evolution. In the first part we review the evolution of the bipartisan system at the national level, briefly analyzing the dispute between the two parties, PAICV and MpD, since the return to the multiparty system in 1991 until the last elections in 2016. In the second part we examine the dynamics of smaller parties presenting candidates for deputy since 1995, but having limited success. The third part of this study is dedicated to investigating possible causes for this evolution. Following the recent literature on the role of district magnitude we first analyze the mechanical and psychological effects of this factor on the electoral process. Next, we address two additional questions that have received attention in recent studies: the regional distribution of voter support and its interaction effect with district magnitude, as well as the role of the demand side that drives new parties to contest elections. Our analysis confirmed the psychological effect on party elites. The initiative to launch new parties contesting national elections in Cape Verde is linked to the question of the magnitude of the districts. The psychological effect on the electorate as well as the mechanical effect on small parties seems to be less important in the dynamics of the electoral process in Cape Verde.

Keywords:
party system; electoral system; bipartisanism; district magnitude; small parties; Cape Verde