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TomPhil · 01-05-2008, 03:01 PM

On the subject of coalitions, some stuff I've pulled out of my essay:

In 103 elections in Germany, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden in the fifty years since 1945 (all PR countries in which there is rarely one party with an overall majority), only 6 times have the electorate been able to remove the government. In contrast, in 58 elections in the same period in Britain, New Zealand (this survey of elections takes into account only elections before the introduction of Mixed Member proportional representation (MMP) in New Zealand), Canada and India (all “Westminster model” countries), sitting governments were ousted by voters in 25 elections.

Also, an interesting example is that "there appears to be a virtually perfect inverse relationship between the electoral success of the Danish Liberals and their inclusion in government."

Reference: Pinto-Duschinsky, Michael (1999) Send the rascals packing: Defects of proportional representation and the virtues of the Westminster model. Representation, 36(2), pp. 117 – 126 at pp. 120 – 122.

01-05-2008, 03:01 PM	#23 (permalink)
TomPhil Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Stockport Posts: 498 Party: UKIP	On the subject of coalitions, some stuff I've pulled out of my essay: In 103 elections in Germany, Italy, Japan, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden in the fifty years since 1945 (all PR countries in which there is rarely one party with an overall majority), only 6 times have the electorate been able to remove the government. In contrast, in 58 elections in the same period in Britain, New Zealand (this survey of elections takes into account only elections before the introduction of Mixed Member proportional representation (MMP) in New Zealand), Canada and India (all “Westminster model” countries), sitting governments were ousted by voters in 25 elections. Also, an interesting example is that "there appears to be a virtually perfect inverse relationship between the electoral success of the Danish Liberals and their inclusion in government." Reference: Pinto-Duschinsky, Michael (1999) Send the rascals packing: Defects of proportional representation and the virtues of the Westminster model. Representation, 36(2), pp. 117 – 126 at pp. 120 – 122. __________________ "A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government." In Labour we trusted and now we are busted... again. It's the economy, stupid.