The Conceptual Grounding of Electoral Engineering

This article explores the concept of engin eering as an emerging analytical tool in the field of political science. It traces its transition from its original domain in management where it was used to redesign administrative processes to the political realm, where it now serves as a new approach ai med at renewing political concepts and keeping pace with contemporary transformations. The article specifically focuses on electoral engineering as one of the most prominent applications of this concept, highlighting its role in designing electoral systems that respond to the specificities of societies and fulfill standards of transparency, integrity, effectiveness, and the representation of popular will. It also examines sub concepts derived from democratic engineering, such as participatory democracy, dem ocratic quality, and local democracy, illustrating how these notions contribute to enhancing the legitimacy of the political system by establishing electoral frameworks that support the peaceful transfer of power and uphold the values of participation and legitimacy. The article draws on the contributions of several thinkers including Max Weber, Robert Dahl, David Beetham, and Karl Deutsch to underscore the central role of elections in establishing democratic systems. Accordingly, the article seeks to estab lish electoral engineering as a strategic tool for advancing democratic practice, tailored to the political and cultural contexts of each country.