[EM] Thoughts on a nomination simulation

[Kristofer Munsterhjelm]

Dave Ketchum wrote:
> On Jun 16, 2010, at 9:57 PM, Kevin Venzke wrote:
>> Hi Kristofer,
>> --- En date de : Mer 16.6.10, Kristofer Munsterhjelm 
>> <km-elmet at broadpark.no> a écrit :

>>> That is possible. Would primaries encourage that effect? If
>>> so, would we expect parties in two-party states without
>>> voter primaries to be closer to each other?
>>
>> I'm not sure. I tend to view primaries as one form of a phenomenon that
>> will inevitably happen under FPP one way or another. If there's something
>> important about them I guess it has something to do with timing...
> 
> Plurality NEEDS primaries because its voters can vote for only one.  If 
> X1 and X2 run for party X, without primaries, they can expect to each 
> get only half the votes intended for party X.  If Y1 is the only 
> candidate for party Y, Y1 has a big advantage over X1 and X2.

In a parliamentary system, I imagine it would be possible for the party 
leadership to decide (in the manner that they decide a list under party 
list PR). How do parties in actual single-winner district parliamentary 
countries (like England or Canada) select their candidates?