<
https://theconversation.com/proportional-representation-could-reduce-polarization-in-congress-and-help-more-people-feel-like-their-voices-are-being-heard-270411>
"In the face of widespread pessimism about the political fate of the United
States and growing political polarization, scholars and citizens across the
country are reimagining how American democracy could better serve the needs of
the whole population.
In an October 2025 poll, a slight majority said that radical change is needed
to make life better in America, compared to 32% who answered only small change
is needed.
Reimagining a political system’s future effectively begins with the system’s
foundation: how the populace chooses the people who will represent them and
make collective decisions.
The U.S. Constitution mandates elected representatives in Congress to decide
important questions, such as how to tax the population and spend that
collective revenue. And they determine whether to go to war or to defend allies
if they are invaded.
These representatives are chosen in a winner-take-all system that research
shows favors those with money to spend on the race. It also feeds stark
polarization, helps restrict choice to two major parties and leaves out the
voices of many voters.
What would it take to make that electoral system become more responsive to
citizens’ needs? How could it be fairer and more accurate in representing the
entire electorate?
One answer is found in proportional representation, an electoral system used in
most of the rest of the world’s established democracies. These systems elect
multiple representatives in a district in proportion to the number of people
who vote for them.
A recent report from the Academy of Arts and Sciences that I participated in
analyzed the pros and cons of moving to such a system.
It examined evidence from other countries and concluded that proportional
representation could provide more fair and accurate representation and more
choice. Proportional representation could also help with the deep political
polarization engulfing the United States."
Via Kenny Chaffin.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
