What Kind of Electoral Outcome do People Think is Good for Democracy?

There is perennial debate in comparative politics about electoral institutions, but what characterizes this the lack of consideration for citizens’ perspective. In paper, we report results an original survey conducted on representative samples 15 West European countries ( N = 15,414). We implemented instrument to elicit respondents’ views by asking them rate “real blind” outcomes. With instrument, aimed principled rather than partisan preferences regarding kind outcomes that citizens think good democracy. find Europeans do not clearly endorse a majoritarian or proportional vision They tend focus aspects government parliament when they pass judgment. want majority has few parties and enjoys wide popular support. Finally, only small differences between different countries.