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Debate: Two-party system
From Debatepedia
[Edit] Is a two-party system preferable to a multi-party system? |
[Edit] Background and contextThe political systems of several nations are dominated by two parties, most notably the governments of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Other countries are nearly two-party systems, in the sense that two parties dominate and one or two smaller third parties ensure one or the other major parties maintains power (Germany being a good example). These systems stand in contrast to multi-party parliamentary systems where coalitions regularly shift (Israel, Japan, various Eastern European countries, various Latin American democracies). Recent developments have seen a number of countries, such as France and Italy, move towards a more two-party system as a number of smaller parties have come together under an umbrella organisation for the purpose of contesting elections. There are strong voices on either side of the debate over which kind of system is preferable. Some countries began more as multi-party systems, but they gradually settled into a two-party pattern as the electorate’s preferences polarized. Other countries, traditionally dominated by one or two parties, have seen the gradual emergence of influential third parties (such as in Canada). Advocates of the multi-party system are fond of its diversity and the fact that it forces coalition building. Advocates of the two-party model argue that those governments are more stable and experienced.[1]See Wikipedia's article on two-party system for more background. |
[Edit] [ ![]() Ideological distinctions: Does two-party system capture main ideological difference? | |
[Edit] Yes
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[Edit] No
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[Edit] [ ![]() Legislative production: Is a two-party system more capable of producing more and/or better legislation? | |
[Edit] YesGovernments in two party systems are more able to drive policies. This is because one party is almost certain to have a clear majority. This means they can implement important changes quickly and without compromise.[6] |
[Edit] NoMulti-party systems tend to produce coalition governments. These governments have to work together to balance interests and produce a consensus around the need for change. This makes it more likely that such changes will be accepted by the country at large and not reversed at the next election.[7] |
[Edit] [ ![]() Incumbency: Is it good that incumbents last longer in two-party system? | |
[Edit] Yes
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[Edit] No
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[Edit] [ ![]() Voter interests: Are voter interests better represented in two-party system? | |
[Edit] Yes
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[Edit] No
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[Edit] [ ![]() Two-party moderation: Two-party invites great compromise? | |
[Edit] Yes
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[Edit] No
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[Edit] See also[Edit] External links
[Edit] Books
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