NationStates Jolt Archive

Well, it could be worse. In some countries they have all out brawls over some issues.

Cheney cussing out on the Senate floor aside, I think that American politics tends to be a lot more civilised than British politics. Living over here, I have never heard of anything described as "bi-partisan", there isn't even an effort to make things look like they are. Maybe some of you have watched House of Commons debates, or Prime Minister's question time? Its fairly brutal, and the offence and sarcasm come completely undisguised. Anyone else with an opinion?

It may be characteristics of the two nations that affect this and how the two governments have grown up. I mean though this has no affect on it America is a Republic and Britain a Constitutional Monarchy.

I have to say the HoC is pretty embarrassing for most Brits, and I wouldn't like to say one system is better than the other. But there could be an an argument to say that by having the fights and name calling out in the open in parliament, our politicians don't bottle it all up and unleash their differences in the kind of campaigns you seem to have over there. Our politicians are generally less professional as well, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

I've met a few politicians, and what strikes me as bizarre is that they actually seem to believe what they're saying, that the world really is the way they believe it to be and that they know how to run a country. Personally, I suspect a mild form of psychosis.

I don't know, both systems seem to test more for stamina than they do for political ideas.

My perspective anyway.