Consequences of voting for a smaller party?

[ASG]

Like it says on the tin, what are the effects and or consequences of voting for a smaller party?

I have been planning on voting DA for a while, lately I've been thinking of actually voting based on a policy I agree with, whether that is ACDP, FF, IFP or MF is immaterial as long as I agree with there policy the most.

On a grand scheme I see it as every vote for another party is one more vote away from the 2/3rds for the ANC. Which is a good thing, no party should ever have 2/3rds.

But what are the effects on a smaller scale. Does it really matter if the DA has once less seat and another party has one more?

Surely the best practice is to vote for what you agree with, as they are most likely to support the things you support and oppose the things you oppose? Or is all about getting as mean seats as possible even if it is no where near a majority?

 

[JungleBoy]

Like it says on the tin, what are the effects and or consequences of voting for a smaller party?

I have been planning on voting DA for a while, lately I've been thinking of actually voting based on a policy I agree with, whether that is ACDP, FF, IFP or MF is immaterial as long as I agree with there policy the most.

On a grand scheme I see it as every vote for another party is one more vote away from the 2/3rds for the ANC. Which is a good thing, no party should ever have 2/3rds.

But what are the effects on a smaller scale. Does it really matter if the DA has once less seat and another party has one more?

Surely the best practice is to vote for what you agree with, as they are most likely to support the things you support and oppose the things you oppose? Or is all about getting as mean seats as possible even if it is no where near a majority?

Why don't opposition parties form one big party in opposition to the ANC. They seem to have their existence hinged on the same common denominator - hatred for the ANC (with the exception of AZAPO).

 

[hoegh]

so long as you vote, that is all that counts, and i agree, you should vote for the party who's policies you agree with, not just vote for the party that everyone else agrees with, its a sad fact but a lot of people vote based on them not wanting a certain party in power then agreeing with a parties policies and wanting them to represent them

 

[general_koffi]

South Africa's representative system ensures that every vote will count. It isn't like the US.

As long as it isn't for the ANC...

 

[ASG]

Why don't opposition parties form one big party in opposition to the ANC. They seem to have their existence hinged on the same common denominator - hatred for the ANC (with the exception of AZAPO).

If that is a serious question or comment, it shows that you have no idea of the concept of democracy and the principles behind it. If your views are indicative of the average ANC support and I'm assuming you are one, it shows the dangerous precipice on which we stand. It's just a matter of numbers till we topple and fall into the abyss of dictatorship...

 

[semiautomatix]

South Africa's representative system ensures that every vote will count. It isn't like the US.

As long as it isn't for the ANC...

Well, not for the presidential elections. But certainly for Parliamentary representation - unfortunately this isn't directly representational of the people, which is why a change in the voting laws should be tabulated. You should vote for a representative from your area to represent you in Parliament; not merely on a party's first come, first serve basis.

 

[semiautomatix]

Like it says on the tin, what are the effects and or consequences of voting for a smaller party?

I have been planning on voting DA for a while, lately I've been thinking of actually voting based on a policy I agree with, whether that is ACDP, FF, IFP or MF is immaterial as long as I agree with there policy the most.

On a grand scheme I see it as every vote for another party is one more vote away from the 2/3rds for the ANC. Which is a good thing, no party should ever have 2/3rds.

But what are the effects on a smaller scale. Does it really matter if the DA has once less seat and another party has one more?

Surely the best practice is to vote for what you agree with, as they are most likely to support the things you support and oppose the things you oppose? Or is all about getting as mean seats as possible even if it is no where near a majority?

Its still a good sentiment. A vote against the ANC is a vote for democracy - you may not be voting for the DA but you are voting for a brighter South African future. And you can also vote differently for the local government and national government elections.

 

[Pilgrim]

The problem I see with lots of people voting for lots of small parties is it is easier for the ANC to ignore a request made by a party with 2% of the votes.

If a lot of people vote for one smaller party and that party gets 20% of the votes they have a bit better chance of getting their opinion bashed into the thick scull of the ANC.

This is not how democracy works, but it is how dictatorship disguised as democracy works.

@OP, the most important thing you should look at before you vote is the parties stance on collation with the ANC. Some parties will suck up to the ANC, some don't say and some will never.

I will vote for one that will never form a collation with the ANC.

 

[CyraxHB]

The way I see it is that the only parties that will vote in parliament against policies like AA/BEE is the DA and FF+. That pretty much makes my decision for me.

 

[Flanders]

Still, the only chance we have to avoid total Zumocracy is to vote for someone other than ANC. This could well be the last "free and fair" election in this country!

 

[zippy]

You should be voting for the party who you believe have the policies that you believe are the right ones for the country and you believe they can deliver on them or at least make significant progress. If that happens to the smallest party then its still important that they get your vote because your vote should be reflected, and at least you can walk away from the election having voted for what you believe is right.

And if its the largest party, then marvelous. Most people agree with you.

 

[grayston]

Like it says on the tin, what are the effects and or consequences of voting for a smaller party?

Hopefully, it will force the DA to stop grandstanding and start making coalitions with other parties.

 

[TonyHawk]

Voting for a smaller party strengthens democracy... they will be stronger & hopefully show results of your faith in them.. and win others over because of positive results ...
... which others were looking for in the party they previously voted for...
There will come a time when it will balance out... it always does.. and has already started..

 

[dappled]

Well, not for the presidential elections. But certainly for Parliamentary representation - unfortunately this isn't directly representational of the people, which is why a change in the voting laws should be tabulated. You should vote for a representative from your area to represent you in Parliament; not merely on a party's first come, first serve basis.

The American system is FPTP through and through.
FPTP = first past the post, for President, Senate, and the House. No second prizes in any domain.

 

[Gatecrasher]

Well, not for the presidential elections. But certainly for Parliamentary representation - unfortunately this isn't directly representational of the people, which is why a change in the voting laws should be tabulated. You should vote for a representative from your area to represent you in Parliament; not merely on a party's first come, first serve basis.

The problem with FPTP is that it unfairly favours large parties and regional/tribal/local parties. In the SA context, the ANC, DA ( to a lesser extent) and IFP would benefit. A party like Cope, with a more evenly distributed support base would struggle to get anyone elected anywhere, even if it got 20%-25% of the overall vote.

The two systems can be mixed, however, such that each constituency has the benefit of a directly elected representative, with a top-up list system at parliamentary level adjusting for disproportional outcomes.