Best Democratic System
Politeia utopia
24-09-2006, 13:51
With many in agreement that democracy, especially liberal democracy, is the preferred form of Government, I was wondering what sort of democratic system you prefer. For, there are many democratic systems in the world and some may be better thatn others; if so, why would one system be preferred....
I reckon there are two main dimensions to consider;
1) Proportional Representation (PR) vs. Plurality systems
2) Parliamentary vs Presidential systems.
In a Proportional Representation (PR) system each party gets roughly the same part of seats in parliament as the part of the total votes they have won.
In a Plurality system a single party gets the majority in parliament. (Mostly due to a district system; whoever wins a district gets all the seats of the district)
In a parliamentary system the government/executive resigns if it no longer has the support of a parliamentary majority.
In a presidential system the government/executive has a position independent of parliamentary support.
Common examples:
Plurality; Parliamentary: UK
Plurality; Presidential: US
PR; Parliamentary: Netherlands, Israel
PR; Presidential: South American Countries
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Perhaps I will elaborate later if needed...
Option #3: Closest to a TRUE democracy (a 'direct' democracy) and teh dir3ct d3m0cracy is teh rulz0r!
Politeia utopia
24-09-2006, 13:58
Option #3: Closest to a TRUE democracy (a 'direct' democracy) and teh dir3ct d3m0cracy is teh rulz0r!
Well it is likely still a representational democracy, no direct rule, but rule through an elected parliament..:)
Well it is likely still a representational democracy, no direct rule, but rule through an elected parliament..:)
Rather than one redneck who was made rich by his father's oil. (Wonder who that is... :p )
That way, if one Dee Dee Dee gets elected, there are still smart people to nullify him.
Swilatia
24-09-2006, 14:06
direct democracy. ever heard of it?
Politeia utopia
24-09-2006, 14:06
Rather than one redneck who was made rich by his father's oil. (Wonder who that is... :p )
That way, if one Dee Dee Dee gets elected, there are still smart people to nullify him.
I agree, I don't consider coalition forming to be a bad thing, but perhaps some do... And have good arguments against it :D
Politeia utopia
24-09-2006, 14:12
direct democracy. ever heard of it?
Ancient Athens...
Still it was only possible, because of the limited number of "citizens", no women, slaves or foreigners...
Due to current-day technology direct democracy is possible, holding referenda on various subjects…
I do not think it will be good for a country to have a direct democracy however…
The Alma Mater
24-09-2006, 14:17
direct democracy. ever heard of it?
I have - but also believe that being a member of government, understanding the reasoning behind laws and regulations, being able to oversee what will happen if a change is implented etc requires some training.
That is why I prefer ruling through elected parties of professionals that represent different ideologies over direct representation by the people.
Swilatia
24-09-2006, 14:17
Ancient Athens...
Still it was only possible, because of the limited number of "citizens", no women, slaves or foreigners...
Due to current-day technology direct democracy is possible, holding referenda on various subjects…
I do not think it will be good for a country to have a direct democracy however…
why? no-one has tried it today.
Psychotic Mongooses
24-09-2006, 14:20
In a Proportional Representation (PR) system each party gets roughly the same part of seats in parliament as the part of the total votes they have won.
PR; Parliamentary: Netherlands, Israel
PR; Presidential: South American Countries
--------
Perhaps I will elaborate later if needed...
Do you mean PR-List or PR- STV?
Politeia utopia
24-09-2006, 14:23
why? no-one has tried it today.
That is true, but people are not always willing to bother themselves with ruling complex modern societies... It would take an almost nonstop commitment to democracy
Moreover, I think people can change oppinions quite rapidly, look at polls... (or the NS United Nations, before long everything gets repealed ;) ) elected officials may allow for a greater continuity of policy. There will likely be less dramatic changes
Politeia utopia
24-09-2006, 14:41
Do you mean PR-List or PR- STV?
I was thinking of list, but we could also debate the merrits of Single Transferrible Vote, but I am less familliar with this system. ;)
Then again others may come forth and sprout their knowledge concerning STV, so we can all become familliar
H N Fiddlebottoms VIII
24-09-2006, 15:57
direct democracy. ever heard of it?
Yeah, mainly from the major thinkers of the day who absolutely abhorred the concept because it didn't work worth a damn.
New Burmesia
24-09-2006, 16:14
I quite like both the five-branch Presidential system used in the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Parliamentary one used in Ireland.
Which is best probably depends on where it is used, we in the UK would proabably be a lot happier with PR-Parliamentary than any kind of Presidential system simply because we are used to Parliamentary government.
Politeia utopia
24-09-2006, 16:16
Trolling:
The System of the United States is the greatest democratic system and should therefore be followed by all other countries!
We should nuke or kill those that do not agree!
:sniper:
Hell Yeah!
/Trolling :p
New Burmesia
24-09-2006, 16:17
I was thinking of list, but we could also debate the merrits of Single Transferrible Vote, but I am less familliar with this system. ;)
Then again others may come forth and sprout their knowledge concerning STV, so we can all become familliar
STV is (basically) PR that works by ranking candidates, rather than choosing a party list. I know that because I read my mate's Politics AS textbook when bored, and can remember more about it than he can :D