REDUÇÃO DE MANDATOS LEGISLATIVOS: O DEBATE ADORMECIDO

Abstract

This paper aims to put in evidence the current term lengths of legislative offices in Brazil and the political outcomes that results from the choice of these parameters. First, we simulate a very simple model of competence selection to show that the results explain the long terms adopted by the developed parliamentarist countries of Europe. Based on the simulation's results, we also suggest the reelection rate as an indicator of electoral maturity. We found that the income per capita doesn't explain the differences in the reelection rates in states of Brazil, neither does the ideological factor, but the bias in representation does explain those differences. In this context, we argue that a reduction of legislative's term lengths in Brazil would induce more political stability and electoral competitivity.