brooknononsense (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} brooknononsense) wrote, |
ok...i'll do the best i can.
in new zealand we have an MMP system, much like that used in Germany.
this system was established by referendum in 1993, i think, and first used here for the 1996 elections. prior to that we had a system known as first past the post, whereby whichever political party had the most votes automatically won the election. its pretty undemocratic because under FPP you don't need to have a majority to win an election. in contrast, under MMP you can put together a majority by forming coalitions and other kinds of agreements with other political parties. MMP also broadens the scope of politics to give minor parties a voice in parliament, whereas FPP tends to mean a two-party system.
historically, FPP has favoured the right wing party (national) because they usually get more votes than any other single party. MMP however has tended to favour the left because typically lefties here divide their votes between a number of parties e.g. labour (the other major player, currently in government), the maori party, the greens, the progressives, alliance, etc. Labour has proven itself to be very effective at forming a government under MMP through negotiations with smaller parties.
2008 is an election year (we have them every 3 years). the national party are very popular at the moment for no other reason than that labour have been in power for three terms and new zealanders seem to think that its time for a change, even though the national party are keeping very tight-lipped about their policies (except for repeating "tax cuts!" like a mantra).
national are aware that their popularity would wane very quickly were they to win the next election (because the reality is that their policies will favour big business and will totally shaft workers). they would very much welcome a referendum on electoral reform because, although they SAY they don't want to go back to FPP, everyone knows that FPP suits them better than MMP and would take us back to the days when they could win an election without a majority. which is totally undemocratic.
i think new zealanders like MMP though, so national are pretty out of touch if they think a referendum will bring about the electoral system they would prefer.
in new zealand we have an MMP system, much like that used in Germany.
this system was established by referendum in 1993, i think, and first used here for the 1996 elections. prior to that we had a system known as first past the post, whereby whichever political party had the most votes automatically won the election. its pretty undemocratic because under FPP you don't need to have a majority to win an election. in contrast, under MMP you can put together a majority by forming coalitions and other kinds of agreements with other political parties. MMP also broadens the scope of politics to give minor parties a voice in parliament, whereas FPP tends to mean a two-party system.
historically, FPP has favoured the right wing party (national) because they usually get more votes than any other single party. MMP however has tended to favour the left because typically lefties here divide their votes between a number of parties e.g. labour (the other major player, currently in government), the maori party, the greens, the progressives, alliance, etc. Labour has proven itself to be very effective at forming a government under MMP through negotiations with smaller parties.
2008 is an election year (we have them every 3 years). the national party are very popular at the moment for no other reason than that labour have been in power for three terms and new zealanders seem to think that its time for a change, even though the national party are keeping very tight-lipped about their policies (except for repeating "tax cuts!" like a mantra).
national are aware that their popularity would wane very quickly were they to win the next election (because the reality is that their policies will favour big business and will totally shaft workers). they would very much welcome a referendum on electoral reform because, although they SAY they don't want to go back to FPP, everyone knows that FPP suits them better than MMP and would take us back to the days when they could win an election without a majority. which is totally undemocratic.
i think new zealanders like MMP though, so national are pretty out of touch if they think a referendum will bring about the electoral system they would prefer.
