Political System of New Zealand
It is important to note that New Zealand is a unitary state based on the principles of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The system of government is based on the Westminster model of parliamentarism. Levitsky & Ziblatt (2019) note that the electoral system is a crucial element for democracies to thrive. Now, it seems to me that, for New Zealand to remain a developed democracy, changes are needed to respond to the demands of the times.
New Zealand has a mixed-member proportional representation system, but the use of the first-past-the-post system will allow for direct seat allocation. The advantages of this system include the simplicity of the candidate election process, which enables transparency and fairness. Moreover, the system allows voters to choose between the two main parties, which is essential for New Zealand.
Recommendations for Improvements
Moreover, I believe that to support democracy and development in New Zealand, it is essential to review the structure and functioning of political parties. It is because, in modern society, there is a need to involve even minority groups in political activities. Accordingly, their interests must also be represented by state authorities (Levitsky & Ziblatt, 2019). For example, it is necessary to adjust the seat allocation to ensure a certain quota of minority groups is represented in parliament.
It is also a common practice among European countries to control and manage deputies’ activities. Accordingly, citizens can express their opinions on the decisions of certain deputies within the political system. It is possible to conduct online surveys of citizens to reduce bureaucratic procedures and hold elected representatives accountable. Therefore, such influence on the political system will ensure the quality of MPs’ work and meet the interests of New Zealand citizens. Thus, these actions enable the political system to adapt to the requirements of the modern world and prevent the decline of democracy.
Reference
Levitsky, S., & Ziblatt, D. (2019). How democracies die. Crown.