This article investigates how different institutional features affect democratic satisfaction.

Dual Effects of Pluralism: While electoral proportionality increases satisfaction with democracy (SWD), government fractionalization has the opposite effect.

Methodology and Scope: Using a time-series cross-sectional analysis of 58 democracies between 1990 and 2012, findings reveal this counterintuitive duality across various regions. The study also employs survey data from the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems to confirm these individual-level effects.

Key Findings:

• SWD rises with electoral proportionality but falls with government fragmentation

• These seemingly contradictory institutional determinants coexist in democracies

• Results hold true both at societal and individual levels

The Puzzle Resolved: This duality suggests democratic representation isn't a simple concept, requiring nuanced understanding beyond traditional models.