STV vs MMP Continued

[New Democracy]

Dear Methods list members,

     I have been having a debate with someone about STV vs MMP. This is one
of the replies that I have received. If anyone else has some thoughts
please feel free to write.

This person wrote:

On Sat, 28 Jun 1997 09:14:33 -0400, you wrote:

>Dear List members,
>
>     MMP is an improvement over the First-Past-The-Post Single Seat Ridings
>method but how much of an improvement is it? It is only a limited
>improvement. MMP limits proportional representation to only one reason -
>for only the political parties. It does not give the voters the power to
>have proportional representation for any other reason.

Actually, I think that it could be argued that MMP strikes at the heart of the
matter. It is true that parties determine the type of government we receive. You
are correct in saying that parties dominate the discussion. But MMP gives the
voter the chance to determine WHICH parties will make power.

I have made the general observation that if you do not like the fact parties
control the electoral process and to a great extent the democratic process, then
you endorse STV. If you think that parties are vehicles worth keeping around
then you endorse MMP.

>     STV will give proportional representation to everyone - for any reason
>- you name it.

STV does not create as proportional results as MMP. This is definately one of
its weaknesses. Of course, it is also better than MMP in that votes are never
wasted. MMP systems with thresholds can potentially waste many votes.

>     With MMP control of proportional representation is in the hands of the
>political parties. For example: If the political parties have more women
>candidate then the representation of women will increase - if the parties
>have less women candidates then their representation will decrease. The
>representation of anyone or any concern is controlled by the party - not
>the voters.

Ah, but if the voters demand that more women should be elected, parties will
respond by nominating, listing more women.

>     With STV proportional representation will be controlled by the voters.
>If fifty percent of the voters vote for women candidates then fifty percent
>of the elected candidates will be women. And this policy will also be true
>for any other reason or concern that the voters may wish to vote for
>including political party - the power in in the hands of the voters.

But it still rests with the parties to nominate/produce/encourage women
candidates! In countries with STV, parties still dominate the democratic
process...

>Don


Donald Eric Davison of New Democracy at http://www.mich.com/~donald

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -