Would a democracy with no parties be possible?

[Herkmeister]

Just curious if any of you true historians know of such a system and what complexities they experienced.

 

[naturalmwa]

Why do people join parties to get elected? Isn't it mainly about all the logistical and structural advantages they provide? If you had a system that either outlawed or publically provided that that framework, I bet you would see parties less powerful. But I personally know of no free society that didn't have voluntary associations and alliances.

 

[Huey Grey]

Possible, but not likely. Eventually, like-minded people would get together to throw their support behind one candidate and then call themselves something to signify that they are voting together. Viola. The birth of a party.

 

[unIowa]

We need a 64 candidate playoff. Aptitude test gets you in the round of 64. Single elimination debates w a best of 3 in the elite 8, best of 5 in final four, best of 7 in the finals.

 

[moral_victory]

We need a 64 candidate playoff. Aptitude test gets you in the round of 64. Single elimination debates w a best of 3 in the elite 8, best of 5 in final four, best of 7 in the finals.

I would settle for instant runoff voting too.

an electoral system whereby voters rank candidates in order of preference. In the event that one candidate fails to achieve a sufficient majority, the candidate with the fewest number of first-preference rankings is eliminated and these votes redistributed, the process being repeated until one candidate achieves the required majority.

Edit: mandatory voting too

 

[naturalmwa]

I would settle for instant runoff voting too.

an electoral system whereby voters rank candidates in order of preference. In the event that one candidate fails to achieve a sufficient majority, the candidate with the fewest number of first-preference rankings is eliminated and these votes redistributed, the process being repeated until one candidate achieves the required majority.

Edit: mandatory voting too

Toss in anti gerrymandering and it sounds like Australia. Count me in mate

 

[Herkmeister]

Did the Greeks have parties?

 

[Herkmeister]

Possible, but not likely. Eventually, like-minded people would get together to throw their support behind one candidate and then call themselves something to signify that they are voting together. Viola. The birth of a party.

Kinda my point Huey, but............... I was thinking the like minded might apply to specific issues, thus the groups change per the topic.

 

[THE_DEVIL]

Did the Greeks have parties?

Yes, but that's a whole other story.

 

[naturalmwa]

Did the Greeks have parties?

The Greeks ruled themselves. It would be like getting rid of congress and putting every bill up online and making everyone vote on it. Note the making part, it wasn't optional. They didn't have elections to offices, they were forced to serve by lots. Some offices turned over daily. So one day you might be the mayor, the next the dog catcher, etc.

 

[rchawk]

George Washington was opposed to political parties. But then his last words were "I think I need another bleeding."

 

[Hawk and Awe]

We need a 64 candidate playoff. Aptitude test gets you in the round of 64. Single elimination debates w a best of 3 in the elite 8, best of 5 in final four, best of 7 in the finals.

This is almost perfect.... I would only add "one man moves on while the loser is taken outside and shot"