Are US politics the worst out of any developed country?

TridenT

Lifer
Sep 4, 2006
16,800
45
91
Mostly a question for those in other countries besides the US. When you read/get involved with US politics, do they seem worse than your country? What country are you in?

There will be some exclusions, obviously... I am trying to stick with first world nations.
 

Veliko

Diamond Member
Feb 16, 2011
3,597
127
106
I find it staggering how polarised everything seems to be, it's as if the concept of a middle ground doesn't exist.

Also the fact that a fairly big deal seems to be made about the President's religion makes me uncomfortable.
 

polarmystery

Diamond Member
Aug 21, 2005
3,888
8
81
I find it staggering how polarised everything seems to be, it's as if the concept of a middle ground doesn't exist.

Also the fact that a fairly big deal seems to be made about the President's religion makes me uncomfortable.

It doesn't. People will disagree, but time and time again it seems that we only become more polarized as the years go by.
 

Triumph

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,031
14
81
I think to adequately answer this question, one would have to have a good understand of the political climate in multiple countries, a minimum of 2 obviously. Preferably 4 or 5. Even that wouldn't qualify someone to make the declarative statement that US politics are "the worst" (whatever the fuck that means).
 

WelshBloke

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
32,182
10,219
136
I find it staggering how polarised everything seems to be, it's as if the concept of a middle ground doesn't exist.

...



I just assumed that it was just this forum, and ordinary Americans were like anybody else.
 

Monster_Munch

Senior member
Oct 19, 2010
873
1
0
They only seem to have 2 political parties in the US. Most Euro countries have more than that. The upside is we have (slightly) less partisan bickering, but the downside is there can be some quite extreme parties like the BNP.

I think the two party system makes it harder to get anything done in America. With 3 or more it's possible to make deals with other parties on certain issues to pass legislation. When you only have two parties there's no reason for anyone to compromise on anything.
 

Linflas

Lifer
Jan 30, 2001
15,395
78
91
They only seem to have 2 political parties in the US. Most Euro countries have more than that. The upside is we have (slightly) less partisan bickering, but the downside is there can be some quite extreme parties like the BNP.

I think the two party system makes it harder to get anything done in America. With 3 or more it's possible to make deals with other parties on certain issues to pass legislation. When you only have two parties there's no reason for anyone to compromise on anything.

That is by design in order to prevent "mobocracy".
 

Atreus21

Lifer
Aug 21, 2007
12,001
571
126
For as tense as things can be, one of the more distinct things about the United States is just how little we really disagree on fundamentals. There are no significant political elements that seek fundamental, constitutional change (such as trashing the constitution and starting new). The same can not be said of other countries.
 

Atreus21

Lifer
Aug 21, 2007
12,001
571
126
They only seem to have 2 political parties in the US. Most Euro countries have more than that. The upside is we have (slightly) less partisan bickering, but the downside is there can be some quite extreme parties like the BNP.

I think the two party system makes it harder to get anything done in America. With 3 or more it's possible to make deals with other parties on certain issues to pass legislation. When you only have two parties there's no reason for anyone to compromise on anything.

The two party system gets it done as well as any multi-party system.

Two-party system: Right vs. Left
Multi-party system: Coalition of the right vs. Coalition of the left.
 

Triumph

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
15,031
14
81
The two party system gets it done as well as any multi-party system.

Two-party system: Right vs. Left
Multi-party system: Coalition of the right vs. Coalition of the left.

Eh, I think there is more cooperation with multi party systems. You can't create a coalition of smaller parties unless you each make some concessions between one another. Otherwise you would be the same party.
 

Atreus21

Lifer
Aug 21, 2007
12,001
571
126
Eh, I think there is more cooperation with multi party systems. You can't create a coalition of smaller parties unless you each make some concessions between one another. Otherwise you would be the same party.

That's exactly right. By creating coalitions of like-minded parties, multi-party systems create a very similar dynamic to the duality of American parties.

To that extent they are different only in number, not in operation.
 

WelshBloke

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
32,182
10,219
136
That's exactly right. By creating coalitions of like-minded parties, multi-party systems create a very similar dynamic to the duality of American parties.

To that extent they are different only in number, not in operation.

Not really.

Coalitions can be broken, also each member of a coalition still needs the support of their voters at the next ballot. If you have many parties you have a much easier time switching your vote to someone else.
 

Jaskalas

Lifer
Jun 23, 2004
34,596
8,653
136
I find it staggering how polarised everything seems to be, it's as if the concept of a middle ground doesn't exist.

It does exist. That is why the GOP betrays conservatism and nominates the likes of Bush, McCain and Romney to be President. They want a big spending, government loving, warmongering middle ground, and we deliver!

Obama's policies have not been that different from Bush, and Obama's signature difference, healthcare, was already accomplished by Romney. The little difference that exists between these 'electable' men is proof of our middle ground.
 

airdata

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2010
4,987
0
0
Mindless bickering between opposing sides, check
Policy making bought and sold by corporations, check
 

fskimospy

Elite Member
Mar 10, 2006
86,731
52,566
136
Multi party systems are more responsive to the wishes of the voters, they are capable of greater freedom of action, and they are (as a baseline) less corrupt.

They are also less stable.

Pick your poison!
 

Modelworks

Lifer
Feb 22, 2007
16,240
7
76
Any system based on the concept of "do what you want until re-election" is a bad system.
 

ArizonaSteve

Senior member
Dec 20, 2003
764
105
106
Most other countries have a number of parties that cover the spectrum from extreme left to extreme right.

America gets two choices. Right and extreme right.
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
No Taiwan and Greece is probably worse by we are close to worst.
 

airdata

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2010
4,987
0
0
Our system would be the best if you made lobbying illegal and closely controlled donations and the such.

As it is though, there's a sickening amount of that. Corporate interests should never come ahead of the state's well being.
 

Atreus21

Lifer
Aug 21, 2007
12,001
571
126
Multi party systems are more responsive to the wishes of the voters, they are capable of greater freedom of action, and they are (as a baseline) less corrupt.

They are also less stable.

Pick your poison!

Cue third parties. To the extent that voters are not being heard, third parties arise to give volume to their grievance, in which case the major parties either ignore it at their peril, or adopt those issues into their platform, or even absorb the third party.

Out of curiosity though, are there any data-driven studies of responsiveness by two-party or multi-party systems?
 
Last edited: