Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - New Zealand Election and methods of democracy

Markboy · 09-13-2005, 05:50 PM

Ok, I know this is a very dangerous way to start on the boards, having the gumption to post my own thread, and moreover to post in the Politics forum, but this is what is uppermost in my mind at the moment, and so I felt compelled to seek out opinion.

New Zealand goes to the polls this coming Saturday in one of the closest contested elections in recent times. About 12 years ago now, New Zealand changed its polling methodology from the traditional First Past the Post (2 party system, whoever gets more votes wins), to MMP (a 2-vote system, where 1 vote is cast for your electorate MP, and 1 vote is cast for one of approximately 6 parties, which covers their respective representation in parliament). More detailed information on MMP can be found at http://www.elections.org.nz/mmp/two_ticks_too_easy.html

I guess what I am interested in is people's comments on this particular method of electing a government, and also if people know enough about the individual parties over here to comment. I'll try to post a more detailed break-down of the individual parties' views later.

And to all those who feel that elections in another country have no bearing on them, I would point out that in this global society, one country's views on trade, economics, immigration, security, defence, and foreign affairs can actually have a noticeable effect on another country's society... Here in New Zealand we have definitely felt the effects of the elections held in our close trading partners (US, UK, Australia), as well as an impact from trade decisions made in the SE Asian countries, and I do not believe this is a one-way effect.

So in closing, please excuse my impudence of posting this as a noobie, but I am fascinated to hear people's responses...

09-13-2005, 05:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
Markboy Upright Location: Auckland, NZ	New Zealand Election and methods of democracy Ok, I know this is a very dangerous way to start on the boards, having the gumption to post my own thread, and moreover to post in the Politics forum, but this is what is uppermost in my mind at the moment, and so I felt compelled to seek out opinion. New Zealand goes to the polls this coming Saturday in one of the closest contested elections in recent times. About 12 years ago now, New Zealand changed its polling methodology from the traditional First Past the Post (2 party system, whoever gets more votes wins), to MMP (a 2-vote system, where 1 vote is cast for your electorate MP, and 1 vote is cast for one of approximately 6 parties, which covers their respective representation in parliament). More detailed information on MMP can be found at http://www.elections.org.nz/mmp/two_ticks_too_easy.html I guess what I am interested in is people's comments on this particular method of electing a government, and also if people know enough about the individual parties over here to comment. I'll try to post a more detailed break-down of the individual parties' views later. And to all those who feel that elections in another country have no bearing on them, I would point out that in this global society, one country's views on trade, economics, immigration, security, defence, and foreign affairs can actually have a noticeable effect on another country's society... Here in New Zealand we have definitely felt the effects of the elections held in our close trading partners (US, UK, Australia), as well as an impact from trade decisions made in the SE Asian countries, and I do not believe this is a one-way effect. So in closing, please excuse my impudence of posting this as a noobie, but I am fascinated to hear people's responses...