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But then I look at Canada, or the UK. These are single member districts, with first past the post elections, and they have multiple parties, including regional
by jonathankoren 8y ago
But then I look at Canada, or the UK. These are single member districts, with first past the post elections, and they have multiple parties, including regional parties. The US doesn't have anything like that.
There's something more going on in the US.
- hectormalot 8y agoIn practice i’d consider the UK a 2 party state as well. FPTP basically results in either Labour or Conservatives leading government. The other parties are geographically limited. Eg the Scottish Party cannot win outside of Scotland, same for the 2 Irish parties, and although LibDems should not be geographically limited, in reality you can almost consider them the London party. Go check the Dutch or Belgian systems. They have proportional representation and our (NL) current government is a coalition of 4 parties. (Yes, it moves slower, but also results in a more nuanced government and more gradual change)
- madhadron 8y agoThe requirement of parliamentary systems to form a government lets some smaller parties have a look-in, since they can get concessions from the large parties to agree to join a coalition. Without that, a smaller party has no leverage. But the UK is the classic two party system that Washington warned against.