Voters all over the world have become a very strange breed. It would seem that they can not trust anybody enough to give them a clear mandate. Where you have proportional representation systems, of course, coalitions are the norm but in systems such as the British patterned government systems they are not.
However, as of late in many countries voters seem to be unable to make a clear choice. The U.S., for instance, will have, at least for the next two years, a Democrat President (Thank God), a Republican Chamber of Representatives and a Democrat Senate; a clear recipe for legislative paralysis. Britain has a coalition Conservative/Liberal government, odd bedfellows.
Québec very recently elected a minority government split evenly between Separatist P.Q. (54) and Liberal Federalists (50), the remaining seats split between a radical left party Q.S. also separatist leaning (2) and a the right leaning semi-federalist C.A.Q., about a dozen. No one wants to coalesce with another so it will be negociations ad nauseam to pass legislation.
No wonder we have an unending economic crisis and uncertain social climate.
Perhaps, we can all learn to get along and reach compromises that are humane and fair.
RépondreSupprimerYes but can the human specie achieve that now since it has not reached it over the las 2 ooo ooo years?
SupprimerI too was thrilled for Obama's victory, although I cannot forget that many friend bloggers are unhappy about it. I wonder whether this lack of a clear mandate is more a North American thing, hard to say. Here in Italy polls indicate that Belusconi's power is crushed (at last!) and that the left (PD, Democratic Party: not very modern alas) will gain numerous votes, although we have this Grillo - a new protest party - that is exploiting the crisis and might get even more votes.
RépondreSupprimerSo yes, no clear mandate for the next elections and a total mess. Our premier Mario Monti - a first class leader - might be called again to finish his reforms job. It is what I hope. Italy seems incapable of getting out of sluggishness, I'm afraid.
Et tu, amice!
RépondreSupprimerAhimé, sì
RépondreSupprimerI suspect that part of the conundrum involves the stepped pace of elections. The US Senate seats are renegotiated every six years, the Representatives every second year. ("Congressmen" are in effect perpetually on campaign because of this!) The Congress districts are smaller and little pockets of prejudice toward the minority view can make themselves apparent here.
RépondreSupprimerHaving managed the campaign for a challenger to a sitting Congressman, I can attest that a lot more petty scores are settled in these races. People take their Senator, with the longer term of office, much more seriously. It is sad that people don't seem to realize the gridlock that is there by created.
Indeed the U.S. seems in a perpetual election mode and that is a bit disconcerting and makes the "democratic" process a playground for people with deep pockets since the expenses, down your way are not regulated and wide open for porkbarrelling; even though, despite regulations and laws, we do have our share of porkbarrellers.
Supprimerso true, paul. i can only hope that obama is able to reach across the aisle and republicans do so equally to work together and get to solving and not fighting about problems. am so grateful that the elections turned out the way they did and that he has a second term to accomplish what he started.
RépondreSupprimerWE all hope so, Amanda.
RépondreSupprimer