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In China, there are elections and anyone can vote. The only restriction is that only party nominees are on the ballot. Is this really so different from the US,
by timthelion 9y ago
In China, there are elections and anyone can vote. The only restriction is that only party nominees are on the ballot. Is this really so different from the US, where in many states the only people on the ballot are party nominees?
- mirimir 9y agoRight. People used to criticize the former Soviet Union in the same way. And it's true that there are two major political parties in the US. However, in many states, candidates must declare for one or the other to get on ballots. Even candidates of long-established "third parties". Also, in living memory, no third-party candidate has won the Presidency. Or indeed, ever received substantial funding from monied interests. There are some third-party members in the House and Senate, but not very many. So yes, the distinction between China and the US is fuzzier than typically claimed. And in both, the asserted justification is limiting the field to candidates who are competent and experienced.