[EM] Conceiving a Democratic Electoral Process (Primary Thoughts)

[Michael Allan]

Hi Fred,

> It seems to me the point you're making (and, for goodness sake,
> correct me if I've bollixed it) is that, if we are to eliminate
> partisan control of government, we must first understand the source
> of party power.

That would be wise, at least.  For my part, I point to the absolute
dependence of party power on the combination of a primary electoral
system and an exclusive electorate.

> Parties are able to exercise control because only party members are
> allowed to vote on the selection of candidates for public office.
> To correct this state of affairs, we must use our imaginations to go
> beyond what we can see and imagine that it's possible to lift that
> restriction.
>   If we can imagine that, if voting by non-partisans were allowed,
> the party would lose control.  The implication is that, to eliminate
> the power of parties, we must find a way to remove that exclusivity.

The last sentence says it best.  There is no way to eliminate primary
elections in a society where freedoms of speech and association are
respected.  They are too well armoured.  That leaves exclusivity as
the target for our sling stone.

-- 
Michael Allan

Toronto, +1 416-699-9528
http://zelea.com/


Fred Gohlke said:
> Good Morning, Michael
> 
> I think I understand your point.  Before I comment on it, I'd like to 
> mention that the example of an assertive, strong-willed non-partisan was 
> probably of minor importance.  The point was that, in any single primary 
> election, if such an individual participated in conjunction with a 
> party, it could only be with one party in any one election, and 
> association with the group would affect both the person and the group. 
> However, that may be, it is a digression from the line of thought you 
> were suggesting.
> 
> It seems to me the point you're making (and, for goodness sake, correct 
> me if I've bollixed it) is that, if we are to eliminate partisan control 
> of government, we must first understand the source of party power.
> 
> Parties are able to exercise control because only party members are 
> allowed to vote on the selection of candidates for public office.  To 
> correct this state of affairs, we must use our imaginations to go beyond 
> what we can see and imagine that it's possible to lift that restriction. 
>   If we can imagine that, if voting by non-partisans were allowed, the 
> party would lose control.  The implication is that, to eliminate the 
> power of parties, we must find a way to remove that exclusivity.
> 
> I would like to comment on this, but want to be sure my understanding is 
> correct before I do so.  Please let me know.
> 
> Fred