The Italian Constitution and electoral system was deliberately made weak and divisive post world War two to ensure that the Communist Party of Italy was never able to get democratic control. Thus the number of governments post-war.

West Germany - the powerhouse of the European economy post-war has proportional representation. Pretty effective sort of economy I'd say. One of the current economies doing pretty well in Europe is Ireland. Proportional representation. Israel, strong country if nothing more - proportional representation.

The countries with "first-past-the-post" systems tend to have lower turn outs like the USA with its voter turn-out of around 50%.

But of course it is hardly democratic when a party with less votes than the opposition wins. I thought that was what you were arguing earlier.

I like to see the party with the most votes get seats in proportion to those votes (more or less) - what a shame you prefer them not to.

Incidentally, you still haven't told us what the electoral system is in the high tax, high standard of living country that you live in. Do tell old fruit, people might be interested. Denmark for example uses the party list system. Pretty effective government in Denmark.

I happen to think that the Iraq body count website is a more likely figure than the Hopkins figure. 49 killed yesterday. They will be delighted to know we have an accurate count of people killed.