Northern Ireland’s history and politics offer a blueprint for how the US can implement a better electoral system, especially in the wake of rising polarization and political violence. Developed in partnership with Larj Media and More Equitable Democracy.
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Northern Ireland’s history and politics offer a blueprint for how the US can implement a better electoral system, especially in the wake of rising polarization and political violence. Developed in partnership with Larj Media and More Equitable Democracy.
A Tale of Three Cities – Revisiting Proportional Representation in the U.S.
The Future of Our Former Democracy
59 minutes
1 year ago
A Tale of Three Cities – Revisiting Proportional Representation in the U.S.
George and Colin turn their attention to the US – because believe it or not, parts of the US once used proportional representation! They explore the history and impact of ranked choice voting (RCV) in New York City and its broader implications for electoral reform in the United States and Ireland. After highlighting NYC's adoption of RCV in 2021 and its positive outcomes, including a more diverse city council, George and Colin explore NYC's first-ever use of RCV... all the way back in 1933!
They draw parallels between electoral reforms in the U.S. and Northern Ireland, focusing on their common political landscapes and the systemic challenges faced by their respective minorities. Then for the policy nerds, they dig into gerrymandering and the manipulation of electoral systems, different versions of RCV, and underscore the ongoing potential of proportional representation. They conclude with reflections on modern efforts to revive these electoral reforms, with a case study of Portland, Oregon, and a hopeful vision for the future.
Special thanks to the experts featured in this episode:
Pádraig Ó Tuama, Poetry Unbound
Jenny Lee, Coalition of Communities of Color
Episode photo gallery
Music and archival
Transcript
Article - Back to the future: What New York’s democracy experiment of the 1930s says about today
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The Future of Our Former Democracy
Northern Ireland’s history and politics offer a blueprint for how the US can implement a better electoral system, especially in the wake of rising polarization and political violence. Developed in partnership with Larj Media and More Equitable Democracy.
