Proportional representation
I'd like to see Parliament scrapped, and replaced by direct Monarchial rule.
Only if I was the monarch.
King Timbo the First. It has a ring to it.
Oh no! Weimar Republic lessons all over again! Coalition governments, Hindenburg in power, collapse of democracy! NOOOOO!
Israel is proof that that is a profoundly bad idea.
If loonies want power let them gather together to make their votes count.
Usually, in election systems with proportional representation there's a percentage hurdle that keeps the fun parties out (for example the Anarchistic Pogo Party of Germany). Or one could have a combined system of proportional and personal election.
And the Weimar Republic had some much more severe problems than the amount of parties. The amount of anti-democratic parties, for example. (Also it was a semi-presidential system, which is considered one of the worse constructions of a democratic political system).
Quote: frostyboy @ August 31 2008, 2:08 PM BSTI would love to see the first past the post voting system scrapped, and replaced by proportional representation.
If that were to happen, then small political parties such as the Official Monster Raving Loony Party and The Blah Party would actually stand a realistic chance of achieving (moderate) success.
I couldn't imagine caring any less about anything.
Quote: frostyboy @ August 31 2008, 7:50 PM BSTWell, f**k off then.
Frosty...
How do I put this simply...
Damn, I can't go to your level.
He thinks you're a c**t.
Everyone.
And to be fair, you are. And not even in a good way.
Quote: Scatterbrained Floozy @ August 31 2008, 4:29 PM BSTOh no! Weimar Republic lessons all over again! Coalition governments, Hindenburg in power, collapse of democracy! NOOOOO!
What she said.
In recent years we have drifted away from Parliamentary Democracy into a de facto Presidential system, in which the personal will of the Prime Minister is unimpeded by elected representatives.
The need to form coalitions would require the forming of alliances, increasing the influence of individual MPs and restoring the perogative to Parliament.
Obviously there would be some horse-trading, resulting in hobby-horse legislation, but on the big issues Parliament would reflect public opinion more accurately. Which is after all the point of democracy.
Comparisons with Weimar are specious, for the reasons given by Finck. There are both successful and unsuccessful examples of proportional representation, and individual circumstances need to be considered.
The first past the post sytem has been failing this country for the past fifty years, and it is high time alternatives were properly explored.
It wasn't a comparison, it was just what it reminded me of!
I'd like a portion represented please. I think I'll choose my right thigh. It's particularly attractive and often immerses itself in political debate.
