3 ms·

So what is the solution? I feel like the US is currently on a very unsustainable path right now with the political polarization.

thescriptkiddie 9y ago
One idea is to do everything we can to support minor political parties, because they bring diversity to political discourse that doesn't necessarily fit into a two-party system. Probably the most important change along these lines would be to replace first-past-the-post voting with a system that allows people to express more complex preferences, such as approval voting, ranked choice voting, or range voting. Other ideas include publicly funded elections, mixed-member proportional representation, redistricting via the shortest splitline algorithm, and compulsory voting.
- tomjen3 9y ago
  Far be it from me to suggest we should not support small parties (I lean heavily libertarian) but be very careful what you wish for: Donald Trump was likely as close to a political outside the US will see as a leader for many years.
- sharemywin 9y ago
  without something liked ranked choice though more parties usually means more radical parties getting power.
BearGoesChirp 9y ago
Change the voting system to allow more parties so that more interests can be represented. Consider weakening the federal government and moving power back to the states so that each person has more control over their own lives (one major part of this is shifting federal taxes to state taxes). Problem is that none of the solutions will be achievable because they consist of weakening the power of those who currently have power, and few people are willing to give up such power unless there is a real and significant threat of them losing even greater power if they don't compromise. For a more discrete example, why would either major party approve a change that gives a strong voice to weaker parties? Just look at how hard they work to keep weaker parties out of any major election debates. If we don't face a significant external threat, I wonder if there are any options other than for political polarization to continue to grow until... well I'm not sure what happens. I suspect it won't be pleasant.

thescriptkiddie 9y ago

One idea is to do everything we can to support minor political parties, because they bring diversity to political discourse that doesn't necessarily fit into a two-party system. Probably the most important change along these lines would be to replace first-past-the-post voting with a system that allows people to express more complex preferences, such as approval voting, ranked choice voting, or range voting. Other ideas include publicly funded elections, mixed-member proportional representation, redistricting via the shortest splitline algorithm, and compulsory voting.

tomjen3 9y ago
Far be it from me to suggest we should not support small parties (I lean heavily libertarian) but be very careful what you wish for: Donald Trump was likely as close to a political outside the US will see as a leader for many years.
sharemywin 9y ago
without something liked ranked choice though more parties usually means more radical parties getting power.

BearGoesChirp 9y ago

Change the voting system to allow more parties so that more interests can be represented. Consider weakening the federal government and moving power back to the states so that each person has more control over their own lives (one major part of this is shifting federal taxes to state taxes). Problem is that none of the solutions will be achievable because they consist of weakening the power of those who currently have power, and few people are willing to give up such power unless there is a real and significant threat of them losing even greater power if they don't compromise. For a more discrete example, why would either major party approve a change that gives a strong voice to weaker parties? Just look at how hard they work to keep weaker parties out of any major election debates. If we don't face a significant external threat, I wonder if there are any options other than for political polarization to continue to grow until... well I'm not sure what happens. I suspect it won't be pleasant.