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Multiparty Democracy

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 OttensApril 29, 2022
Charles de Gaulle

The Three Political Traditions That Explain the French Election

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

Nick OttensApril 23, 2022April 23, 2022
German parliament Berlin

Political Fragmentation Hasn’t Weakened Germany

American alarmism about coalition politics is unfounded.

Nick 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 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 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 OttensMarch 24, 2021April 20, 2022
Pablo Iglesias

Spanish Tribulations in Multiparty Democracy

It’s still better than the alternative.

Nick 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 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 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 OttensNovember 25, 2020October 26, 2021
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 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 OttensJanuary 11, 2020October 26, 2021
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 OttensDecember 13, 2019November 25, 2021
Ulf Kristersson Gabrielius Landsbergis

Swedish Center-Right Adapts to Rise of Far Right

The Moderates break a cordon sanitaire that has failed to rein in the Sweden Democrats.

Nick OttensDecember 11, 2019November 16, 2021
Washington DC

Moderates in America Should Not Give Up on Political Reform

Tearing down the two-party system is still the best way to defeat polarization.

Nick OttensNovember 26, 2019April 20, 2022

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