26 Feb 2003 @ 20:45, by Brian White
There is a system of voting where X marks the choice and it is used in Britain, Canada and the USA. It is statistically very boring.
You are not going to find out too much about a voter from seeing an X opposite a politicians name, are you? You might find that her or she is a Conservative or left wing a Green,.
But what type of conservative? Did they vote conservative for economic reasons, or for stronger laws or for something else?
You cannot even guess.
There is another system of voting where you vote 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, etc in order of your choice.
It is a statisticians dream!
You can look through the second 3rd and 4th choices to find out much more clearly what the person is voting for. Not only that, but in this voting system, 3,4 or 5 candidates get elected from one area so you get to choose WHICH conservative is preferred! The choice might be between the economically conservative conservative who is socially liberal (and with wife no 4 ) and his opposite. Economically liberal but socially conservative. With this system, you get to see much more clearly what the people want and why they made their choices. And isnt that what politics should be about? Knowing what the people want and why they want it?
This system is actually remarkably stable! It seems to produce 3 to 4 largish partys and the ocasional split off party. New ones do start from time to time but their thunder is usually taken rather quickly by a large party shifting their position a little. (Again, this is not bad). The partys are changing to reflect the views of the voters and that is what is supposed to happen! I see major problems with bipolar politics. Mushroom parties. Here in BC canada the previous government has 2 elected representives in a parliament of over 70 this time! The government party have the rest!
Over 90% of the voters voted for them? NO!
It was a little over 50%. I WAS SHOCKED!
In another situation, a 3 way division on racial or religious lines could lead to a government with an absolute majority in parliament and just over 30% of the vote. That is really scary!
So, what do you think?
Brian White
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