Yet another obstacle to democracy: party primaries.

• Author: Murphy, Jason
• Position: Thinking Politically

As the 2004 presidential election approaches, Greens are hearing all sorts of advice about what we should be doing. One can expect both a media blackout, probably one even worse than in 2000, and loads of off-air vitriol, probably even more than before.

We've already been told that we should only run in particular states or only field candidates for less important offices. The problem with such advice is that it is impossible to implement. This is because we are required to use the primary process just like the other two parties. Where we have ballot status, anyone can show up and file to be that party's candidate. This means we often cannot make the sort of strategic decisions we keep hearing about. I want to give other reasons why primaries, unique to American democracy, are such a problem. Just as Greens are working on election reforms like Instant Runoff Voting (IRV), they should also seek to end mandatory primaries.

Though seldom discussed in national left forums, Greens should recognize that our primary system is a bad one. When the subject has come up, many ask something like, "Don't you think the people should choose who represents the party?" That's just the problem. The people are squeezed out of the primaries by the same forces that squeeze them out of general elections.

Very few incumbents are overturned and the best-funded candidate is even more likely to win the primary than the general election. When I have explained the US system to friends of mine from Australia, Brazil and Europe, they recoil in horror. Everywhere else in the world, members of multiple parties choose their candidates by means of conventions. Parties then compete in elections using proportional representation or instant run-off. This affords the people a wider variety of choices (more than two) and is substantially more democratic.

Also, there is another level of accountability if parties can choose or withdraw candidates. The people are free to join the party of their choice and can play a much greater role than the...