I strongly believe in the positive value of two viable political parties to provide a competitive marketplace of ideas surfacing the best of those to govern us. However, it does require both of those parties to have ideas worthy of the competition. Unfortunately one of our two parties at present seemswoefully short of ideas and the few…
I strongly believe in the positive value of two viable political parties to provide a competitive marketplace of ideas surfacing the best of those to govern us. However, it does require both of those parties to have ideas worthy of the competition. Unfortunately one of our two parties at present seemswoefully short of ideas and the few it advances seem very unworthy of consideration or that competition.
Considering this dilemma, I have concluded it is not my job to fix the badly damaged Republican party. Hence I spend little to no time thinking about how to accomplish this or to whom to look to address the challenge. Rather I will do my best to shape and advance the good ideas of the only viable remaining political party. When another competitor worthy of this competition of ideas arrives on the scene, whatever its heritage or origin, I will judge it's merits then. Until that time, I see little use in troubling myself with concern for the future of an unworthy competitor or its leadership.
Even though George Washington spoke out against having political parties, their presence throughout American history has given a voice to those in opposition to the party in power. But that must be a "loyal" opposition, which the Republican Party ain't. Perhaps we will end up with two major parties, one the centrist Democrats and the other, the more progressively minded ones. Having one party, even if only temporarily, is not good.
That almost closely describes the political party structure in Australia.
The Australian Labor Party (ALP) is a social-democratic party. It is a progressive-leaning party with policy positions favoring social welfare and government assistance programs. It was founded by the Australian labor movement and broadly represents the urban working and middle classes.
The Liberal Party of Australia is a party of the center-right that broadly represents businesses, the urban middle classes, and many rural people. Its permanent coalition partner at the national level is the National Party of Australia, formerly known as the Country Party, a somewhat more conservative party that represents rural interests. These two parties are collectively known as the Coalition. In Queensland, and more recently in NSW, the two parties have officially merged to form the Liberal National Party, and in the Northern Territory, the National Party is known as the Country Liberal Party.
It should be noted that at present the Australian Labor Party holds 68 seats in the Australian Parliament, the Liberal Party 67, the Country/National Party 10, and the balance of 6 held by minority party and independent members. The Liberal Party would be similar in their views to moderate Democrats in the U.S. Congress and the Labor Party more similar to Progressive Democrats.
What an enlightened pleasant people the Australians are!
True, however one may encounter other challenges. Witness at present the struggles of Israel to form a governing coalition. Additionally for a plethora of reasons the U.S. is unlikely to see the rise of a viable third or multi-party system. The discussion of why is a bit lengthy for this platform, but I believe it to be the case. It is more likely that the two parties evolve or become non-viable and are replaced by a successor.
There again, one dominant leader, who has probably overstayed his welcome and is currently subject to criminal charges, has been getting in the way. His Likud Party rivals are probably going to have a much easier time in the coalition forming business....if not in solving the fundamental problems that the society faces.
I strongly believe in the positive value of two viable political parties to provide a competitive marketplace of ideas surfacing the best of those to govern us. However, it does require both of those parties to have ideas worthy of the competition. Unfortunately one of our two parties at present seemswoefully short of ideas and the few it advances seem very unworthy of consideration or that competition.
Considering this dilemma, I have concluded it is not my job to fix the badly damaged Republican party. Hence I spend little to no time thinking about how to accomplish this or to whom to look to address the challenge. Rather I will do my best to shape and advance the good ideas of the only viable remaining political party. When another competitor worthy of this competition of ideas arrives on the scene, whatever its heritage or origin, I will judge it's merits then. Until that time, I see little use in troubling myself with concern for the future of an unworthy competitor or its leadership.
Even though George Washington spoke out against having political parties, their presence throughout American history has given a voice to those in opposition to the party in power. But that must be a "loyal" opposition, which the Republican Party ain't. Perhaps we will end up with two major parties, one the centrist Democrats and the other, the more progressively minded ones. Having one party, even if only temporarily, is not good.
That almost closely describes the political party structure in Australia.
The Australian Labor Party (ALP) is a social-democratic party. It is a progressive-leaning party with policy positions favoring social welfare and government assistance programs. It was founded by the Australian labor movement and broadly represents the urban working and middle classes.
The Liberal Party of Australia is a party of the center-right that broadly represents businesses, the urban middle classes, and many rural people. Its permanent coalition partner at the national level is the National Party of Australia, formerly known as the Country Party, a somewhat more conservative party that represents rural interests. These two parties are collectively known as the Coalition. In Queensland, and more recently in NSW, the two parties have officially merged to form the Liberal National Party, and in the Northern Territory, the National Party is known as the Country Liberal Party.
It should be noted that at present the Australian Labor Party holds 68 seats in the Australian Parliament, the Liberal Party 67, the Country/National Party 10, and the balance of 6 held by minority party and independent members. The Liberal Party would be similar in their views to moderate Democrats in the U.S. Congress and the Labor Party more similar to Progressive Democrats.
What an enlightened pleasant people the Australians are!
Oz is largely gun-free, too.
Thanks for the summary of Australian politics, Bruce.
You don't have that problem in a more competitive, multi-party system.
True, however one may encounter other challenges. Witness at present the struggles of Israel to form a governing coalition. Additionally for a plethora of reasons the U.S. is unlikely to see the rise of a viable third or multi-party system. The discussion of why is a bit lengthy for this platform, but I believe it to be the case. It is more likely that the two parties evolve or become non-viable and are replaced by a successor.
There again, one dominant leader, who has probably overstayed his welcome and is currently subject to criminal charges, has been getting in the way. His Likud Party rivals are probably going to have a much easier time in the coalition forming business....if not in solving the fundamental problems that the society faces.