(Untitled)

[kateorman]

Would it be reasonable to say that the mechanics of Israel's electoral system are a major obstruction to the peace process? If I'm understanding correctly what I'm reading in the press, the blunt proportional representation hands power to the fringes. It's a bit like those annoying situations in Australia where a single independent is suddenly

Comments

[angriest]

Unicameral parliaments are always a bit dodgy IMO.

[kateorman]

If nothing else it seems to be a dog's breakfast forming an actual government.

[browneyedgirl65]

They do need to do something like what Germany does...where a party must get at least 5% of the vote in order to get a seat at the table. That does eliminate the fringe edges, which is indeed (or at least I agree with you here :) ) one of Israel's political problems.

[mondyboy]

One could argue that it's a very democratic system because literally the guy down the road and his three friends can form a party.

But in reality it means that you can only form Government through Coalition. It's a wonder anything of any note - in terms of public policy - is done in the country.

[kateorman]

Did a quick Google, and of course, immediately found various proposals for reform.

[hiraethin]

I was talking about this just today. The Australian Senate as the Knesset with Bob Brown as a pro-settlements nationalist party.

Israel's governmental system reminds me a bit of Italy's - the way they seem to have endless minority governments - but apparently more stable.