Quote:
Originally posted by Sticky
In Isreal, a much wider range of parties are elected to the Knesset (parliament). Most often, in order to form a government a coalition is required. This results in voters (different coalition parties) having infulence in every decision made by the coalition. While this often slows the goverment down, it does ensure that the different minority voices are heard.
The downfall to coalitions, i must admit, is that sometimes a small party (representing a minority) can effect the decision of the coalition.
All I am trying to say is that a democracy elects its leaders and has to answer to its leaders.
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We have a very similar system here in the Netherlands, and it's not as democratic as you seem to believe. After all, you still vote for a party, which has it's own goals, principles and career politicians and their egos. You choose the party you feel comfortable with, or rather a friendly-looking politician part of that party. This party then forms a coalition you might *not* be comfortable with, and implements measures you might not support. Next time, you choose a different party, and the resulting policies are still not to your liking... Compromises lead to disappointments for many voters; voter apathy is the result, and the democracy suffers.