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Liberia: Two – Party Electoral System Is the Best Option

J. Patrick Flomo

Abstract: Electorally, a two-party system is a zero-sum process. The outcome of the election is clear. Electoral fraud and corruption are highly controlled. The winning party gets to govern and the losing party becomes the opposition. The opposition is empowered by the constitution to check the ruling or majority party from expanding its wishes beyond the constitution. In countries like the United States, Great Britain, France etc., we have seen how beneficial the two dominant parties can be to the electoral process. I will review the advantages of the two-party system --- strong opposition in the House or Senate, the capacity for reducing tribal loyalty and enhancing national interest, differentiation of political ideology, and the simplicity of choice for the electorate in a competitive political campaign for public offices.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 10 November 2009 )

By Dr. J. Marsilius Flumo

Spokane, Washington

November 2, 2009

I am a Liberian. Like other Liberians who go to bed and awake with Liberia on their minds, I want our country to make progress and to work for all of its citizens irrespective of tribal origin, religion, or economic status. I am hopeful about the future of Liberia; yet three issues concern me greatly. These include (1) the mismatch between Liberia’s vast natural and human resources and the lack of commensurate progress and development; (2) pervasive and perennial corruption; and (3) the resort to violence as a means of problem-solving. This paper is an attempt to begin a deeper conversation about these three crippling issues.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 05 November 2009 )

In a free society like Liberia, the rule of law is the best security for social and political stability. It is the view of this author and of most students of Liberian government that the “doctrine of the separation of powers” according to James Madison (Federalist Paper, no. 51) has not functioned in Liberia since 1944 the way the framers of the 1847 constitution had intended.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 10 November 2009 )
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