quote:

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66Scorpio
recent-rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11199

posted 30 November 2005 06:54 PM
There is no principle of democracy that states that any question can be decided merely by 50%+1 vote of the votes cast. Indeed there are many situations that legitimately require sizeable quorums and supermajorities to alter the status quo.

The simplest to understand is in corporate management. A corporation can make various changes with the approval of 50%+1 vote of the shareholders. Fundamental changes require either 2/3 or 3/4 support.

Why would we muck about by making fundamental changes to the FPTP system that has served us will for hundreds of years is beyond me when there are other, simpler, less drastic options available to fix the system?

PS: A simple majority cannot dissolve a corporation; why should a simple majority of Quebecers be able to dissolve the entire nation?

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[ 17 December 2005: Message edited by: robbie_dee ]

Another argument against supermajorities is that they assume that we should be biased in favour of the status quo, and while some proponents of the status quo might think that's a good thing, almost no opponent of it will.

[ 17 December 2005: Message edited by: The Baboon ]

When you are starting a new thread about a post in another thread, you might also want to drop a link to the original thread where the quote originated. I did a search and saw that the thread you were referencing was this one: 60% referendum hurdle an assault on voting equality?

[ 17 December 2005: Message edited by: robbie_dee ]