Activism strategies for proportional representation
For US, Canada, and the UK
(For more on PLACE voting, the “perfect” proportional representation method, see this article).
The path to legislative voting method reform — that is, proportional representation—of course would look different in different countries. But there’s one thing in common: in order to prosper, reform has to have grassroots support from people across the political spectrum, but also be in the interest of at least one significant national party. That’s how New Zealand moved to MMP in the 90’s, and it’s how it should work today.
That means a bit of a balancing act. PR, at its heart, is a nonpartisan idea: stop wasting votes. Voters across the spectrum could benefit: whether you’re an independent frustrated with your lack of meaningful choices, a major-party supporter who happens to live in a “safe district” for the other major party, a minor-party supporter tired of being frozen out and labeled a “spoiler”, or even one of the minority whose honest vote isn’t wasted but still upset about the increasing polarization and gridlock that FPTP creates, PLACE or other PR methods have something to offer you. But it’s also true that in practice, there is usually one major party that typically benefits from FPTP, and another that suffers. Making a nonpartisan appeal to voters, combined with a partisan appeal to a specific party, can be tough.
But, as the New Zealand example shows, it can be done. All three of the major FPTP countries I’m discussing — US, Canada, and UK — have made major reforms to their democracies in the past. This is doable.
A few minor country-specific notes:
- In the US, this would not require a constitutional amendment. There is a federal law from 1967 which requires single-member districts, so MMP or STV could not be implemented at the state level without changing that law; but PLACE voting could be passed at either state or federal level with no legal problems.
- In Canada, the Liberals’ betrayal of their promise to implement PR is well-known. The best hope for now is in BC, where an NDP/Green coalition recently won a 1-vote majority over the Liberals, and has promised to promote a referendum on PR. The most probable option they’d go with is MMP, which is not a bad method; but I think creative new proposals like PLACE or something similar would be even better.
- In the UK, of course, people are more worried about Brexit than voting methods. But frankly almost none of the parties are really in tune with their voter base on Brexit issues. A reform that promotes grassroots control over the balance of power both between and within parties would help create a healthier debate on Brexit or whatever issues come next. Any PR method helps with the between-party balance of power; PLACE is especially good at helping with the within-party balance as well.
