423
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] Olgratin_Magmatoe@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago

This is a myth.

No it isn't. It happens through a well known phenomenon called the spoiler effect.

L’ook at the legislatures of other countries that use FPTP, and count the parties that get more than 5 seats

The data you've just quoted doesn't support your position, and this bit about 5 seats is arbitrary.

Each of those countries has 1-2 dominant parties, with the rest being involved in name only. And as another user already pointed out to you, these countries dont use pure FPTP voting. You've also ignored prime minister/presidential positions, because those elections especially prove that it isn't a myth.

Local/smaller seat positions are significantly easier to win, as there is less competition, and therefore more opportunity for 3rd parties to win. But it isn't enough, because they still get sidelined.

The spoiler effect requires voters to vote strategically, which means no third party viability.

[-] III@lemmy.world 2 points 5 months ago

I never knew basic math could upset so many people.

[-] Olgratin_Magmatoe@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago

It's truly frightening.

[-] emergencyfood@sh.itjust.works 0 points 5 months ago

this bit about 5 seats is arbitrary.

Fair. I had to put a cut-off somewhere.

Each of those countries has 1-2 dominant parties, with the rest being involved in name only.

In the UK, the Lib Dems have decided which of the 'big' parties sits in government and which in opposition. The Bloc Quebecois is one of the major parties in Quebec. In India, the two biggest parties get 50-60% of the total votes polled, and most governments are composed of multi-party coalitions. Also about a third of states have governments led by a third party.

And as another user already pointed out to you, these countries dont use pure FPTP voting.

And as I pointed out, they were wrong. The UK, Canada and India use pure FPTP, and Russia has three big parties even if you only consider the FPTP seats.

The spoiler effect requires voters to vote strategically, which means no third party viability.

Third parties cannot win only when everyone thinks they can't win. Labour went from a small third party to forming the government in about a generation. The BJP did the same in India. At the state level, there have been many cases of a third party coming from a single-digit percentage of the vote and winning the election.

[-] Olgratin_Magmatoe@lemmy.world 2 points 5 months ago

In the UK, the Lib Dems have decided which of the ‘big’ parties sits in government and which in opposition. The Bloc Quebecois is one of the major parties in Quebec. In India, the two biggest parties get 50-60% of the total votes polled, and most governments are composed of multi-party coalitions. Also about a third of states have governments led by a third party.

I am aware. But that doesn't really change what I've said. You're comparing smaller elections for seats with a big election like the U.S. president. Those elections still have 1-2 dominant parties, etc.

Third parties cannot win only when everyone thinks they can’t win.

You can't just wish away the spoiler effect.

[-] commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com -2 points 5 months ago

also, biden isn't depicted in your analogy at all. he's more like the emporer: more experienced as a statesman, older, but even more evil.

[-] Olgratin_Magmatoe@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

That's kind of unavoidable when comparing politicians to what ultimately equate to super heroes and super villans.

The point of that graphic is to show how the spoiler effect works, not to say that Biden is good.

Biden is old and evil, but preferable to Trump.

[-] commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 5 months ago

Biden is old and evil, but preferable to Trump.

that's not a reason to vote for him if there are candidates i don't think are evil.

[-] Olgratin_Magmatoe@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago

The candidates who aren't evil aren't going to win.

[-] commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 5 months ago

that's not a reason to empower evil people.

[-] Olgratin_Magmatoe@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago

They're already empowered. We have a limited ability to influence things. Use it for good, for harm reduction.

Quit pissing away your vote. It's just going to get trans people killed when Trump wins.

[-] commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com -1 points 5 months ago

It’s just going to get trans people killed when Trump wins.

not my comrades.

[-] commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com -1 points 5 months ago

harm reduction has a specific meaning. voting is not harm reduction.

[-] Olgratin_Magmatoe@lemmy.world 1 points 5 months ago

Welcome to being human, words mean different things in different contexts and can be used in new and interesting ways all the time.

[-] commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com -2 points 5 months ago

your fiction, helpfully pointed out by the star wars characters, is based on a non-falsifiable theory. it's not science, it's storytelling.

[-] Olgratin_Magmatoe@lemmy.world 2 points 5 months ago

It's a graphic that shows how the spoiler effect works. Relax

[-] commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com -1 points 5 months ago
[-] Olgratin_Magmatoe@lemmy.world 2 points 5 months ago

It's a comparison using popular media. It being fiction is irrelevant to the point.

[-] commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com -1 points 5 months ago

your comparison is also a fiction. there is no election where there are multiple candidates on the same side. cornel west is running against biden and trump and jill stein and claudia de la cruz. none of them are on the same side.

[-] Olgratin_Magmatoe@lemmy.world 2 points 5 months ago

"The same side" is only a way to categorize. You can graph each party on a linear scale. Badly, but you can do it. You can make it more accurate by adding a second axis, such as with the PCT. Still bad, but better. And you can keep adding more and more defining characteristics, until you'd end up with and 8d graph or something utterly incomprehensible to humans.

So whether you like it or not, we as humans with our limited minds stick to things like the PCT, with only 2 axis, or in other words, there are sides.

You're taking up issue with semantics. I don't give a flying fuck what you think about there being sides or not. At the end of the day each party holds some amount of agreement with another.

And I agree way more with Biden than Trump, because Trump wants to kill trans people and end democracy. And I'll vote for Biden to prevent that.

[-] commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 5 months ago

You’re taking up issue with semantics.

it's not semantics. you're spinning a story, and i'm pointing out that it doesn't reflect reality.

[-] commie@lemmy.dbzer0.com -2 points 5 months ago

Trump wants to kill trans people and end democracy

he has never said this.

this post was submitted on 22 May 2024
423 points (82.4% liked)

Political Memes

5410 readers
3969 users here now

Welcome to politcal memes!

These are our rules:

Be civilJokes are okay, but don’t intentionally harass or disturb any member of our community. Sexism, racism and bigotry are not allowed. Good faith argumentation only. No posts discouraging people to vote or shaming people for voting.

No misinformationDon’t post any intentional misinformation. When asked by mods, provide sources for any claims you make.

Posts should be memesRandom pictures do not qualify as memes. Relevance to politics is required.

No bots, spam or self-promotionFollow instance rules, ask for your bot to be allowed on this community.

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS