Is it really possible to compare the European and US political spectrums and what is the difference?

The field of politics has as many perspectives as it has people discussing it. However, in order for us to be able to sit down an actually discuss the current issues bothering us there has to be some kind of previously agreed upon standard for judgement. If this doen't exist we can't really get to the point of understanding that is necessary in order for us to improve anything at all.

This kind of understanding of the standards involved is exactly what's lacking in the political discourse between Europe and the US, and it's the reason for the constant mistakes both sides tend to make when assessing loyalties. However what I'm curious about is the real extent of the differences. What do you guys think?

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Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M

Pick any European country and they'll have a dozen political parties.
Not all of them prominent, but in times of uncertainty the smaller ones come often to the fore.

Media in general only ever sees American politics in terms of Democrat or Republican and the 'characters' that come to the fore in either.
Kinda hard to imagine 'The world's largest Democracy' dominated by an 'either/or' choice for the largest number of people to get a free vote.

And considering, historically, the same mistakes/errors made by either party in or out of government,time and time again, to the European it does seem like a 'fixed' game.

KioCo · M

@Picklebobble2 That might be true for you guys in the US however we get pretty detailed reporting on the elections in almost all European countries (it's just that no one really cares a lot about the smaller, less influential countries of the continent.

Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M

@KioCo But how do you reconcile a 'one party fits all' way of thinking ?

And this crap about 'middle-class' ?
Both political parties make a big deal out of saying 'The middle-class' are the people they 'speak' to ?

In order to recognize a 'middle-class' you have to also recognize a 'working' class and an 'upper' class.
Yet neither side ever mentions them.....?
It's a nonsense.

KioCo · M

@Picklebobble2 That isn't true though, I mean the left has been going on about the poor for years, it's just that they blame everyone else for those people being poor rather than the truth, which is that it's primarily their own behavior. The right on the other hand does mention the higher classes, however they focus on the fact that those classes aren't fixed, that the people in the top 10% now will most likely not be there in 10 years or so.

Also the one party fits all narrative is falling apart, I mean the Libertarian party made significant waves during Obama's time in office and the socialists are making waves now.

Am I wrong?

Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M

@KioCo So are you saying that both Republicans and Democrats are no longer serving the majority ?

KioCo · M

@Picklebobble2 No I'm saying they both are serving it more than ever. They both have their own focus groups, however they will pander to anyone willing to listen.

The thing is, I don't understand why a higher degree of democracy would necessarily lead to a better outcome? Which as I understand it you've implied by equating broad representation with positive outcome.

PS: I'm going on a few presumptions in the second part of the answer so I've probably misrepresented your opinion, sorry :D

Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M

@KioCo There are 9 parties represented in the UK Parliament.
A country of 66 Million represented by at least 9 parties in parliament and dozens more about to fight for Parliamentary seats both in local councils and the European Parliamentary elections.

And America has.....two !

KioCo · M

@Picklebobble2 Having more parties doen't mean better results either, it increases the chance that a party can come into power with a low amount of total votes, which can be dangerous.

And if you count those 9 then how are the socialists and libertarians not 2 parties in the US?

Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M

@KioCo The question remains the same. How can a country of 320 Million be represented by just two parties ?