The famously least democratic voting system? I am aware.
Google:
First Past the Post (FPTP) is widely regarded as a minimally democratic system. Here are some key reasons:
Lack of Proportionality: FPTP fails to accurately represent the popular vote, often resulting in a mismatch between the number of seats won and the percentage of votes received. This leads to a concentration of power among the largest parties, marginalizing smaller parties and independent candidates.
Wasted Votes: In FPTP systems, many votes are wasted as they do not contribute to the outcome of the election. In the 2024 UK general election, for example, 74% of votes were wasted, meaning that only one in four votes had a decisive impact.
Tactical Voting: FPTP encourages strategic voting, where voters choose a candidate not because they genuinely support them, but because they think they have a better chance of winning. This undermines the principle of democratic choice and leads to a lack of accountability among elected representatives.
Limited Representation: FPTP systems often result in a small number of dominant parties, limiting the representation of diverse voices and perspectives. This can exacerbate existing social and economic inequalities.
Comparative Ranking: According to the Citizen Network’s Global Ranking of Electoral Systems, FPTP is not used by most countries, and even among those that do use it, it is often criticized for its limitations. Many countries have adopted more democratic alternatives, such as Proportional Representation (PR) systems.
In conclusion, while FPTP may seem simple and intuitive, it is widely regarded as a least democratic system due to its lack of proportionality, wasted votes, tactical voting, limited representation, and comparative ranking among electoral systems.
Imagine hoping for people you disagree with to “be put in camps” while thinking you’re different and better than fascists.