“Far Left And Right”: America’s parties face a radical shift

Tim Harcourt warns US voting system may push Democrats to extremes unlike Australia’s centre-focused model

Professor Tim Harcourt argues America’s voluntary voting system and primary elections can push political parties towards their ideological extremes, as activists dominate internal contests.

He contrasts this with Australia’s compulsory preferential voting system, which he says encourages parties to navigate towards the centre, and warns the Democrats could face a transformation similar to the Republicans.

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