tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34249799.post7991206680317175946..comments2024-03-29T16:58:01.576+13:00Comments on AmeriNZ Blog: Primary elections explainedArthur Schenckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10568299067544221996noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34249799.post-87717511759588991382012-01-19T14:53:26.995+13:002012-01-19T14:53:26.995+13:00Yes, it IS complicated!
The US and NZ aren't ...Yes, it <i>IS</i> complicated!<br /><br />The US and NZ aren't directly comparable, since their systems of government are different, however, I think that New Zealand's MMP system (with all its faults) is a vastly superior way to <i>elect</i> legislators than the way the US elects Members of the US Congress (whether a parliamentary or US-style system is inherently "better" is another matter entirely, which is why I stressed the election).<br /><br />The theoretical strength of the US system is that the party candidates are vetted across the country, whereas in New Zealand their equivalent—party leaders—are vetted only by their caucus in Parliament. In practice, however, US candidates pander to their parties' bases, which are usually more extreme than the general electorate, and the general public has no real say in the process, only voters who identify with a party (in most states), so in practice, it's still party faithful picking a candidate, just like in New Zealand.<br /><br />The leader of the New Zealand Labour Party was recently chosen after a series of public meetings with party supporters, a bit like a US caucus. But the actual choice still came down to the Labour MPs in Parliament. Contrast that with the Greens, who consult party members on their leadership, which is a bit like the US primary system.<br /><br />But, as I said, when it comes to actual voting in the general election, I do prefer NZ's electoral system. And now I realise that I can do a blog post expanding on this—thanks!Arthur Schenckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10568299067544221996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34249799.post-22559365000161955112012-01-19T14:23:20.241+13:002012-01-19T14:23:20.241+13:00Holy Moly... that seems way more complicated than ...Holy Moly... that seems way more complicated than it should be. Do you prefer the US or NZ voting systems?Geoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15652643866739770570noreply@blogger.com