Scottish independence? United Ireland? Catalonia? Hong Kong? Referendums may indeed be called, but they need not be binary – yes or no; for or against; black or white. Sadly, in both British and Irish politics, policies are invariably decided on the basis of only two options. But pluralism is possible.
Part of the problem is the fact that majority voting is an idée fixe. The Electoral Commission does not consider multi-option voting; the BBC does not (yet) discuss it; and academia is also, largely, silent. Many politicians like majority voting, partly because it’s ‘win or lose’. They like to win and win everything, and some are prepared to lose, if only in the hope that they might win next time. As often as not, and especially in a two-party state, neither side likes to compromise.
Furthermore, lots of people actually think that to be democratic, a decision must be taken in a majority vote. Other voting procedures, such as multi-optional or even preferential voting – anything that might give compromise options a chance – are seldom even on the agenda.
