What electoral system was used by the Reichstag?

The electoral system used by the Reichstag was proportional representation. This system was designed to reflect the varying political viewpoints of the electorate in the composition of the parliament. In a proportional representation system, parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes they receive, which allows for a wider array of political parties and perspectives to be represented.

The Weimar Republic, which included the Reichstag, utilized this system as a way to encourage multiple parties to participate in elections, thereby promoting a more democratic political landscape. Proportional representation can lead to coalition governments, as it is often difficult for a single party to achieve an outright majority due to the fragmentation of political parties. This approach contrasted with systems like majoritarian representation, where a party must secure a majority of votes to win, which typically leads to fewer parties being represented in the legislature.

The implementation of proportional representation in the Reichstag was a significant feature of German politics during the Weimar Republic, allowing minor parties and diverse ideologies to gain seats, shaping the political discourse of the time.