[EM] Electoral reform in Poland: do away with proportional representation

[James Gilmour]

> James Gilmour wrote:
> >That will apply no matter whether you have majority
> >government of one party or a coalition, or minority government.  Of course, you
> >can improve the stability of the Parliament (and of the government) by avoiding
> >the stupid rule that any successful vote against the government automatically
> >means that the government falls.

Rob asked:
> Indeed, that seems pretty awful.  Is that what Poland is doing?

I did not intend to imply that this was the practice in Poland - I don't know
about their "house rules".  However, it is the accepted view for the UK House of
Commons.  That is why there is so much emphasis on majoritarianism throughout the
UK political system.  It results in a very strong (vicious) system of party
"whipping", ie making sure all members of the party vote with the party, both in
government and in opposition.  It has a stifling effect on political debate.  It
allows a Prime Minster whose party has a substantial  majority in the House of
Commons to do more or less what he or she wants - like take the UK into a war to
which a clear majority of the electors were opposed.  (NB UK public opinion has
changed since the war began - mainly out of loyalty to the British troops, I
guess.)

James