NoddyHolder said:
no Proportional Representation (Both) far too few Referendums (UK) low voter turnout (UK, dont know about US) lack of participation in politics (both) |
Whilst you are correct about the monarchy being far from a democratic entity... I posit the following: when was the last time the monarch denied the sovereignty of Parliament? I'd agree that the Lords are far from a democratic institution within Parliament - but the Government has committed itself to reforming it.
Proportional Representation... eh, not a fan. The strong constituency link coupled with the forthcoming right to recall MPs makes each MP much more accountable to her constituents, which I'd wager is a strong incentive for them to work in the interest of their constituents.
I'd agree about the referendums... but it seems like such a small point when compared to the anger you seem to show towards the political institutions of both nations. Particularly in the US, where there are a considerable number of referenda at the local level.
The last two are the result of a conscious decision by the electorate. Part of the whole freedom and liberty notions of a liberal democracy is that people have the right to opt-out of it all, if they want to. Also, I find that people are very interested in politics when it comes to the local level, I often see a lot of NIMBY campaigns, and the like, and I'm sure that this preference to local politics isn't just a phenomenon in my area (and is another argument for decentralisation).
