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The world from Amsterdam, by Nick Ottens

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Multiparty Democracy

Salvador Illa

Catalan Socialists Learn from Their Mistakes

Two years ago, Salvador Illa let his ego get in the way of a deal.

Nick OttensNick OttensMay 7, 2023July 11, 2023
Paris France

The Center Did Not Hold in France

What Macron’s loss means for the Fifth Republic.

Nick OttensNick OttensJune 19, 2022November 7, 2022
Louvre Paris France

Two Parties May Be Better Than Three

The only thing worse than two-party polarization is permanent rule by the center.

Nick OttensNick OttensApril 29, 2022June 13, 2022
Charles de Gaulle

Three Political Traditions Explain the French Election

Charles de Gaulle’s two-party system has broken down.

Nick OttensNick OttensApril 23, 2022June 1, 2022
German parliament Berlin

Political Fragmentation Hasn’t Weakened Germany

American alarmism about coalition politics is unfounded.

Nick OttensNick OttensOctober 24, 2021April 20, 2022
Swedish parliament Stockholm

Political Fragmentation Isn’t the Problem

Political stability is not an end in itself. It are the outcomes that matter.

Nick OttensNick OttensJuly 8, 2021November 24, 2021
Dutch parliament The Hague

Fragmented Dutch Parliament Lacks Experience

It’s the price the Netherlands has to pay for giving its voters so much choice.

Nick OttensNick OttensMarch 30, 2021November 18, 2021
Israeli parliament Jerusalem

Netanyahu’s Rivals Must Do Deal with Arab Parties

It’s time to end the taboo.

Nick OttensNick OttensMarch 24, 2021April 20, 2022
Pablo Iglesias

Spanish Tribulations in Multiparty Democracy

It’s still better than the alternative.

Nick OttensNick OttensMarch 20, 2021November 29, 2021
Santiago Abascal

Far Right Comes to Sánchez’ Rescue in Spain

Vox unexpectedly gives the prime minister a majority for his coronavirus recovery plan.

Nick OttensNick OttensJanuary 29, 2021November 29, 2021
United States Capitol Washington

Don’t Count on Republicans to Suddenly See the Light

Why should they be more compromising under Joe Biden than they were under Barack Obama?

Nick OttensNick OttensDecember 2, 2020October 26, 2021
United States Capitol Washington

Democratic Recriminations Argue for Switch to Multiparty System

Socialists and center-left liberals shouldn’t be in the same political party.

Nick OttensNick OttensNovember 25, 2020June 6, 2023
United States Capitol Washington

How to Restore American Democracy After Trump

Abolish the Electoral College. Abolish the two parties. Add states. Put Congress first.

Nick OttensNick OttensOctober 1, 2020October 24, 2021
United States Capitol Washington

America’s Rigid Two-Party System Is What Its Founders Feared

They wanted a system that would encourage bargaining and compromise.

Nick OttensNick OttensJanuary 11, 2020August 19, 2022
British parliament London

Election Shows Britain Needs Electoral Reform

1.2 percentage points made the difference between a Conservative minority and a comfortable majority.

Nick OttensNick OttensDecember 13, 2019November 25, 2021

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