A Comparative Law Review on the Election System of the U.S.A.: Regarding Entry Barriers for New Politicians
AUTHORS
Eun Jung Yoo,College of Law, Sookmyung Women’s University
Minhui Gwak,Corresponding author College of Law, Sookmyung Women’s University
ABSTRACT
Although the proportion of newly-elected members of Korean National Assembly is higher than that of the U.S. beyond comparison, it does not mean that it is easier in Korea for newcomers to enter politics. In the U.S., there are no restrictions on the duration or expenses of election campaigns, which are regarded as an entry barrier for rising politicians; however, the winner-take-all single-member electorate system, primary election system, and gerrymandering, along with various incumbency factors, exist as entry barriers for political novices. Various incumbency factors and incumbency advantages combined with election system favorable to the serving members can also be seen as entry barriers for the coming politicians in Korea. This paper, by comparing and reviewing the majority representation system of U.S. congressional election and gerrymandering benefiting the serving members to the similar system in Korea, it suggests that the immaturity in party democratization and decentralization is becoming the entry barrier for new politicians.
KEYWORDS
new politicians, election system, incumbency factors, gerrymandering, democratization of political parties
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