[new draft post] Two parties make us stupid https://drafts.interfluidity.com/2023/04/21/two-parties-make-us-stupid/index.html
@interfluidity is it a meme to say we live in a republic, not a democracy?
The tyranny of the majority is still real, even if they feel legitimized by a better voting system.
@zachdecook a voting system doesn’t merely take us as we are and legitimate some set of choices. it constructs or reconstructs us. first-past-the-post voting, in the context of communications tech that makes all controversies national, has reconstructed us into zero-sum a binary, political identities. that is not necessary or historically normal. (i think it’s becoming normal now because US cultural prominence means our wrong turn undermines identity even in countries with better institutions.)
@zachdecook I think it’s a pretty meaningless phrase at this point, trotted out to justify plainly oppressive minoritarian rule.
But pure majoritarianism is not, should never be, the democratic ideal. 50%+ε with the other 50% locked out is not much better than 50%-ε rule.
We want a voting system that aspires to v broad representation, insists on turn-taking, encourages more fluid political identities under which we all win some, all lose some, are never out of the game. https://www.interfluidity.com/v2/7828.html