3 ms·

Keep in mind that in multiparty systems, their ideals and chosen head of state represent the will of a much smaller percent of the population. I have no opinio

Keep in mind that in multiparty systems, their ideals and chosen head of state represent the will of a much smaller percent of the population. I have no opinion on that as an alternative for two parties systems, just found it interesting and an often neglected part of the conversations.

simongray 5y ago
I think that is a bit inaccurate. In a republic the head of state is usually directly elected; in a constitutional monarchy, the head of state is usually hereditary. Whether the head of state has any real power varies greatly. The head of government (e.g. the prime minister) is most often NOT directly elected at all, since most multiparty democracies apply parliamentarism, i.e. the parliament has the power to select and remove the head of government. So the voters focus on voting for parliament members and the head of government is INDIRECTLY elected by the winning _coalition_, so the head of government usually represents a coalition rather than a party. This a bit more dynamic as the coalition can change in between elections when parties realign, sometimes resulting in a new head of government or an early election.
- vmception 5y ago
  when I said "their ideals and head of state" I was referring to the party, not the voters. I think what you wrote about coalitions in parliamentary system is useful for others, but doesn't add to our conversation. But to continue the discussion, my main counterpoint is that a coalition and coalition chosen head of state still dilutes what any particular voter wanted to happen, as opposed to satisfying at least 50% of the country at any given time.
Ekaros 5y ago
I don't think it works too well with two-party systems. That is it is possible that head elected is only preferable to opposition, not actually to voters in general.

3 ms·

Keep in mind that in multiparty systems, their ideals and chosen head of state represent the will of a much smaller percent of the population. I have no opinio

by vmception 5y ago

simongray 5y ago
I think that is a bit inaccurate. In a republic the head of state is usually directly elected; in a constitutional monarchy, the head of state is usually hereditary. Whether the head of state has any real power varies greatly. The head of government (e.g. the prime minister) is most often NOT directly elected at all, since most multiparty democracies apply parliamentarism, i.e. the parliament has the power to select and remove the head of government. So the voters focus on voting for parliament members and the head of government is INDIRECTLY elected by the winning _coalition_, so the head of government usually represents a coalition rather than a party. This a bit more dynamic as the coalition can change in between elections when parties realign, sometimes resulting in a new head of government or an early election.
- vmception 5y ago
  when I said "their ideals and head of state" I was referring to the party, not the voters. I think what you wrote about coalitions in parliamentary system is useful for others, but doesn't add to our conversation. But to continue the discussion, my main counterpoint is that a coalition and coalition chosen head of state still dilutes what any particular voter wanted to happen, as opposed to satisfying at least 50% of the country at any given time.
Ekaros 5y ago
I don't think it works too well with two-party systems. That is it is possible that head elected is only preferable to opposition, not actually to voters in general.