# Maurice Duverger > French academic (1917–2014) **Wikidata**: [Q380297](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q380297) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Duverger) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/maurice-duverger ## Summary Maurice Duverger was born on June 5, 1917, in Angoulême [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] and died on December 17, 2014, in the 5th arrondissement of Paris [9][1][2][3][4][7]. A French citizen [9], he worked as a jurist, politician, political scientist, and university teacher [9], with French as his native language [9]. His education included studies at the Faculté de droit de Bordeaux and Sainte-Marie Grand Lebrun [10].Duverger held academic positions at several institutions, including the Faculté de droit de Poitiers, Paris Faculty of Law and Economics, Faculté de droit de Bordeaux, and University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne [9]. He served as director from 1948 to 1957 [9][11] and later as a Member of the European Parliament from 1989 to 1994 [9][11]. His contributions earned him numerous honors, such as Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, Order of the Francisque, Commander of the National Order of Merit, and honorary doctorates from the University of Geneva, University of Warsaw, and Autonomous University of Barcelona [12]. ## Summary Maurice Duverger was a prominent French political scientist and jurist who lived from 1917 to 2014. He is best known for formulating Duverger's law, a fundamental principle in political science that describes the relationship between electoral systems and party systems. Duverger made significant contributions to the field of political science through his academic work and served as a professor at the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne. ## Biography - Born: 1917 - Nationality: French - Education: Not specified in source material - Known for: Formulating Duverger's law in political science - Employer(s): University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne, Institut d'études politiques de Bordeaux - Field(s): Political science, law ## Contributions Maurice Duverger's most significant contribution to political science is Duverger's law, which he developed around 1950. This principle describes how electoral systems influence the number of political parties in a system, stating that plurality-rule elections tend to favor a two-party system while proportional representation tends to favor multi-party systems. Duverger's work has had a lasting impact on the study of electoral systems and party politics worldwide. He also contributed to political science through his academic positions at the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne and the Institut d'études politiques de Bordeaux, where he taught and conducted research. ## FAQs What is Maurice Duverger known for? Maurice Duverger is known for formulating Duverger's law, a fundamental principle in political science that explains the relationship between electoral systems and party systems. Where did Maurice Duverger work? Maurice Duverger worked at the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne and the Institut d'études politiques de Bordeaux. What awards did Maurice Duverger receive? Maurice Duverger received numerous honors including the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, the Order of the Francisque, and honorary doctorates from several universities including the University of Geneva, University of Warsaw, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona University, Sofia University, University of Milan, and University of Athens. ## Why They Matter Maurice Duverger's work has had a profound and lasting impact on the field of political science, particularly in the study of electoral systems and party politics. His formulation of Duverger's law has become a cornerstone concept in understanding how different electoral systems shape political landscapes. This principle has influenced political scientists, policymakers, and electoral reformers around the world, providing a framework for analyzing and comparing different democratic systems. Duverger's academic career, spanning several decades and institutions, helped shape generations of political scientists and contributed to the development of comparative politics as a discipline. ## Notable For - Formulating Duverger's law, a fundamental principle in political science - Receiving the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour - Being awarded the Order of the Francisque - Holding honorary doctorates from multiple prestigious universities across Europe - Serving as a professor at the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne - Contributing to the Institut d'études politiques de Bordeaux ## Body ### Early Life and Education Maurice Duverger was born in 1917 in France. While specific details about his early life and education are not provided in the source material, his later academic achievements suggest a strong educational background in law and political science. ### Academic Career Duverger's academic career was primarily centered at two institutions in France. He served as a professor at the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne, one of France's most prestigious universities. Additionally, he was affiliated with the Institut d'études politiques de Bordeaux, a renowned grande école in political studies. ### Duverger's Law The cornerstone of Maurice Duverger's contribution to political science is Duverger's law, which he formulated around 1950. This principle states that plurality-rule elections (such as first-past-the-post) tend to favor a two-party system, while proportional representation tends to favor multi-party systems. This law has become a fundamental concept in the study of electoral systems and party politics, influencing political scientists and policymakers worldwide. ### Publications and Media While specific publications are not mentioned in the source material, Duverger's work as a political scientist likely included numerous academic papers and books. He was also associated with Le Monde, a prominent French daily newspaper founded in 1944, suggesting he may have contributed to public discourse on political matters through media channels. ### International Recognition Duverger's work earned him international recognition and numerous honors. He was awarded honorary doctorates from several prestigious universities across Europe, including the University of Geneva in Switzerland, the University of Warsaw in Poland, the Autonomous University of Barcelona and Barcelona University in Spain, Sofia University in Bulgaria, the University of Milan in Italy, and the University of Athens in Greece. These honors reflect the broad impact and recognition of his work across the European academic community. ### Awards and Honors In addition to his honorary doctorates, Duverger received several significant awards and honors. He was named a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, the fourth rank of France's highest order of merit. He also received the Order of the Francisque, an order and medal awarded by the French Vichy Regime. These honors underscore the high regard in which Duverger was held both in France and internationally. ### Legacy and Influence Maurice Duverger's legacy in political science is primarily tied to his formulation of Duverger's law, which continues to be a fundamental concept in the study of electoral systems and party politics. His work has influenced generations of political scientists and has practical implications for electoral reform and the design of democratic systems. The numerous honorary doctorates and other honors he received during his lifetime are a testament to the lasting impact of his contributions to the field of political science. ## References 1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978) 2. Fichier des personnes décédées mirror 3. Virtual International Authority File 4. BnF authorities 5. Members of the European Parliament 6. SUDOC 7. [Journal officiel de la République française](https://jorfsearch.steinertriples.ch/name/Maurice%20Duverger) 8. [Source](http://www.sudoc.fr/09676841X) 9. International Standard Name Identifier 10. CiNii Research 11. Integrated Authority File 12. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 13. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana 14. Croatian Encyclopedia 15. Proleksis Encyclopedia 16. Who's Who in France 17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 18. CONOR.SI 19. LibraryThing 20. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File 21. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands 22. Catalogo of the National Library of India