What Political Parties Would You Support In Other Countries

[Qin Shi Huangdi]

What political party would you most be aligned with in other countries than your own?

Australia: Liberal Party of Australia
Austria: Freedom Party of Austria
Belgium (Flemish): Christian Democratic and Flemish [1]
Belgium (Walloon): Humanist Democratic Centre [1]
Brazil: Democrats
Canada: Conservative Party of Canada
Chile: National Renewal
China, People’s Republic of: Democracy Party of China
China, Republic of: Kuomintang
Colombia: Social Party of National Unity
Czech Republic: Civic Democratic Party
Denmark: Danish People’s Party [2]
Finland: National Coalition Party
France: Union For A Popular Movement [3]
Germany: Christian Democratic Union
Greece: New Democracy
Hungary: Fidesz
India: Indian National Congress [4]
Iraq: Iraqi National Movement [5]
Ireland: Fine Gael
Israel: Kadima
Italy: The People of Freedom
Japan: Liberal Democratic Party
Korea, Republic of: Grand National Party
Mexico: National Action Party
Netherlands: Party for Freedom [6]
New Zealand: National Party
Norway: Conservative Party
Poland: Law and Justice
Portugal: Democratic and Social Centre-People’s Party
Romania: Democratic Liberal Party
Russia: United Russia [7]
South Africa: Democratic Alliance [8]
Spain: People’s Party
Sweden: Swedish Democrats [9]
Switzerland: Swiss People’s Party
Ukraine: Our Ukraine-People’s Self-Defence Bloc
United Kingdom: Conservative and Unionist Party
United Kingdom (Northern Ireland): Ulster Unionist Party [10]
United States: Republican Party
United States (Puerto Rico): New Progressive Party

[1] I would if Belgian support Belgium’s sustained unity.
[2] They are not radically right-wing
[3] The National Front is closet racist and xenophobic
[4] The BJP condones persecution of Christian in India by Hindoo fanatics.
[5] No party in particular
[6] Party has a relatively sane response to the immigration although they may be overenthusiatic on that point.
[7] Putin’s a man I can respect and the other parties are Communist and ultranationalists.
[8] The Democratic Alliance is pretty much the only hope against the ANC who under Jacob Zuma are rapidly becoming the next Mugabe & Co with rampant corruption, AIDS denialism, and hostility to whites.
[9] Again they aren’t fanatical right-wingers contrary to what some may think
[10] Paisley is rather too anti-Catholic for my taste

[Kyla]

Hindoo

Seriously? Are you thirteen, or a 150-year-old retired officer of the British East India Company?

[(mostly) Harmless]

UK: Tories
Ireland: Sinn Fein

[kidneyfailure]

Japan: Liberal Democratic Party

Ugh...

[Nava]

Spain: People’s Party

Is that supposed to mean Partido Popular? The name doesn't have any diacritic marks and it doesn't quite mean "People's Party" (the back-translation of that to Spanish tends to sound like the people involved will call each other Comrade, which is several steps to their left), so I don't see why can't you write it in Spanish. Also, depending on your reasons to back them, you might be backing someone else as a function of your specific location. Not to mention that, depending on what your reasons would be to back the Republicans in the US... the closest Spanish force would be PSOE, not PP-and-the-like. Depending on your reasons. And if it's because you want a party that "backs up Catholicism", PP may be waaaaaay more socially liberal than what you have in mind.

[Ximenean]

UK: Tories
Ireland: Sinn Fein
Interesting combination!

BTW, to the OP, Ian Paisley stepped down a couple of years ago. The DUP is still the DUP though.

[Balthisar]

Mexico: PAN, no contest.

[SanVito]

UK: Tories
Ireland: Sinn Fein

Wow, that's pretty, erm, schizophrenic

Edit: What Ximenean said

[Attack from the 3rd dimension]

I'm concerned that the Conservatives here in Canada may be too left wing for you Curtis Qin.

Oh, and for me, I vote for the Democrats back in the US.

[Acsenray]

Is that supposed to mean Partido Popular? The name doesn't have any diacritic marks and it doesn't quite mean "People's Party" (the back-translation of that to Spanish tends to sound like the people involved will call each other Comrade, which is several steps to their left), so I don't see why can't you write it in Spanish.

So far as I have seen, "People's Party" is the common English translation, although I suppose that "Populist Party" might be slightly better.

I don't know about Europe, but in the United States, most people know so little about international politics that few mistake it for a communist or socialist party. It's just a foreign political party.

[Captain Amazing]

Interesting combination!

He just likes to see people fight.

[Qin Shi Huangdi]

I'm concerned that the Conservatives here in Canada may be too left wing for you Curtis Qin.

Oh, and for me, I vote for the Democrats back in the US.

Well its a bit to the left of our Republicans but still more than few Canadian Conservatives are pro-life, strong military, etc.

[kim_jung_il]

US - democrat
UK - undecided (they are all shit)
Northern Ireland - DUP

[Floater]

Sweden: Swedish Democrats [9]
[9] Again they aren’t fanatical right-wingers contrary to what some may think

Perhaps not, but they are racists with their roots in neo-nazism.

[TokyoBayer]

Japan: Liberal Democratic Party

Ugh...Double ugh. There isn't anyone I can support here.

[Wallenstein]

I guess I'd be a US democrat. Germany would be a tougher call - probably SDP but depending how far to the left it was at the time (and how far to the right to CDU was) it might change.

There's also the "Rent is too damn high" party, which gets a vote for the name alone. :)

[footballisplayedwithyourfeet]

Curtis, you do no that the Reedom Party (Netherlands) really is only rightwing on immigration and crime fighting. They advocate social policies that are comparable to those of the Socialist Party.

[Rand Rover]

UK--The Official Monster Raving Loony Party.

[Qin Shi Huangdi]

Perhaps not, but they are racists with their roots in neo-nazism.

No. Indeed in one election the majority of their candidates were immigrants.

Curtis, you do no that the Reedom Party (Netherlands) really is only rightwing on immigration and crime fighting. They advocate social policies that are comparable to those of the Socialist Party.

Considering that in the Netherlands, critics of Islam are murdered on the streets and since the social conservative party is one that advocates socialistic policies and another one that advocates Calvinistic theocracy they are pretty much the best.

[Acsenray]

I don't understand the point of this exercise. Anyone who thinks he could be a supporter of the U.S. Republican Party as well as the Indian Congress Party (pro-abortion, pro-ethnic quotas, pro-centralized planning, pro-gun control) has got some weird perspective on politics.

[Dewey Finn]

I think the lesson is that Curtis/Qin Shi Huangdi is foolish if he thinks he can evaluate the political parties of foreign countries without being familiar with the issues, the parties or the countries. But the thread's been entertaining.

[kidneyfailure]

I think the lesson is that Curtis/Qin Shi Huangdi is foolish if he thinks he can evaluate the political parties of foreign countries without being familiar with the issues, the parties or the countries.

Seriously. I mean, cmon...the Democratic Party of China? They might as well not even exist!

[Balthisar]

I don't understand the point of this exercise. Anyone who thinks he could be a supporter of the U.S. Republican Party as well as the Indian Congress Party (pro-abortion, pro-ethnic quotas, pro-centralized planning, pro-gun control) has got some weird perspective on politics.

I don't know enough about the Indian Congress Party to opine. Where do they stand economically?

[Frank]

I think the lesson is that Curtis/Qin Shi Huangdi is foolish if he thinks he can evaluate the political parties of foreign countries without being familiar with the issues, the parties or the countries.
Yeah, well, he's thirteen. (Or whatever. Fourteen by now?) I remember being absolutely shocked on moving to Italy at age twelve to find that the Communists were the second largest party in the country. Not to mention the pro-Facist slogans painted on all the pillboxes.

I'm becoming extremely disappointed in Curtis Qin though. His naive and simplistic OPs have created a tremendous opportunity for him to both learn of the real world and improve his arguments in support of his world, yet his OPs and arguments in support of them continue to be naive and simplistic.

I wonder if he's getting class credit on his home-schooling for his posts here.

[Siam Sam]

I support the Democrat Party in Thailand. The wife's a lifelong supporter, although -- peaceful Buddhist that she is -- she at one point earlier this year swore never to vote for them again since they refused to kill all the red shirts. But she relented and voted for them again in the next locl elections.

[Kyla]

I support the Democrat Party in Thailand. The wife's a lifelong supporter, although -- peaceful Buddhist that she is -- she at one point earlier this year swore never to vote for them again since they refused to kill all the red shirts. But she relented and voted for them again in the next locl elections.

Are you a Thai citizen? Can you vote?

[Siam Sam]

Are you a Thai citizen? Can you vote?

No, I am a white American citizen. Even if I were to obtain Thai citizenship (haha!), naturalized citizens are not allowed to vote.

[Onomatopoeia]

Yeah, well, he's thirteen. (Or whatever. Fourteen by now?) I remember being absolutely shocked on moving to Italy at age twelve to find that the Communists were the second largest party in the country. Not to mention the pro-Facist slogans painted on all the pillboxes.

I'm becoming extremely disappointed in Curtis Qin though. His naive and simplistic OPs have created a tremendous opportunity for him to both learn of the real world and improve his arguments in support of his world, yet his OPs and arguments in support of them continue to be naive and simplistic.

I wonder if he's getting class credit on his home-schooling for his posts here.Is Curtis home-schooled? It would kind of explain some things, if so.

[Qin Shi Huangdi]

Is Curtis home-schooled? It would kind of explain some things, if so.

No I'm not.

[kidneyfailure]

Are you a Thai citizen? Can you vote?

I think what he meant was that he supports most of their positions and would align himself with their platform if he was politically active.

Also, Curtis, didn't you once mention having some bitter feelings towards Japan (IIRC you were even warned for calling them "Japs") due to your Korean heritage? If so, why you would support the LDP, one of the most anti-Chinese/Korean/Foreigners-in-General parties in Japan, baffles me.

[Qin Shi Huangdi]

I think what he meant was that he supports most of their positions and would align himself with their platform if he was politically active.

Also, Curtis, didn't you once mention having some bitter feelings towards Japan (IIRC you were even warned for calling them "Japs") due to your Korean heritage? If so, why you would support the LDP, one of the most anti-Chinese/Korean/Foreigners-in-General parties in Japan, baffles me.

Some of the LDPers are honest and agree that Japan deserved the atomic bombs though: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitoshi_Motoshima

[Acsenray]

And that's enough for you to be an LDP supporter?

First of all, that's extremely shallow.

Second, it's reprehensible.

There are credible people who may argue that use of the bomb was necessary or justified, but no one with any sense of decency would argue that Japan "deserved" it.

[Kyla]

I think what he meant was that he supports most of their positions and would align himself with their platform if he was politically active.

Oh, I know. I was just curious. Naturalized citizens aren't allowed to vote? Huh. That's interesting.

[kidneyfailure]

Some of the LDPers are honest and agree that Japan deserved the atomic bombs though: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitoshi_Motoshima

Uh, yeah...

First, he didn't say Japan deserved the atomic bombs (I'm assuming that'd have been career suicide for the freakin' MAYOR OF NAGASAKI to say), he said the emperor "bore responsibilty" for the war. He also said that it was "a matter of course" for the bombs to have been dropped, not that they should have been. While I appreciate his willingness to be honest and state plain historical facts, that in no way means the LDP is a desirable party.

Second, did you read that part in the article you just linked where it mentions that LDP officials asked him to retract his statement about the emperor and then punished him after he refused to do so?

Third, you are aware, I hope, that infamous war criminals like Yoshio Kodama were instrumental in the development of the LDP? Read Robert Whiting's book Tokyo Underworld sometime.

Fourth, SHINTARO ISHIHARA. Nuff said.

The LDP can kiss off.

[Qin Shi Huangdi]

And that's enough for you to be an LDP supporter?

First of all, that's extremely shallow.

Second, it's reprehensible.

There are credible people who may argue that use of the bomb was necessary or justified, but no one with any sense of decency would argue that Japan "deserved" it.

It was deserved because it was necessary not because I take delight in the death of civilians.

[Siam Sam]

Oh, I know. I was just curious. Naturalized citizens aren't allowed to vote? Huh. That's interesting.

The first Westerner to take Thai citizenship, at least in modern times, was a Dutchman three decades or so ago maybe. This being unheard of at the time, he was featured on the news, where he proclaimed to all how proud he was to become Thai and could not wait to exercise his vote at the first opportunity. This created quite a stir among the authorities, who apparently did not think about him actually wanting to vote. After poring over the laws, the government heaved an audible sigh of relief when it announced nothing could be found on the books about naturalized citizens actually being allowed to vote, and so no, Dutchie could not. So the story is told, but regardless of whether that actually happened, no, only native-born Thais are allowed to vote.

It's not too uncommon these days for Westerners to take Thai citizenship, although it is not an easy process. They're almost all Western businessmen wanting to take advantage of the fantastic tax breaks afforded to locally owned businesses but not to foreign ones. The most prominent example is the American Bill Heinecke (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Heinecke), CEO and chairman of Minor Corporation, CEO and chairman of Minor International and chairman of the Minor Food Group. These people are all expected to give up their previous citizenships, dual citizenship past the age of 18 being prohibited here, but there's no real way to check that they have, and no one I know believes they really have. They just keep quiet about it.

On the other end of the scale are other Third World and even Fourth World migrants who cannot get into the US or the EU and somehow manage to snag citizenship here -- through marriage say, or maybe religious affiliation with the southern Muslims or even the small local Hindu community -- leaving behind such hardships as make them not mind a lifetime of being treated as a third-class citizen here.

[Floater]

No. Indeed in one election the majority of their candidates were immigrants.
Could you, please, supply a cite for that?

[Acsenray]

Curtis would support the R.P.R. in France but in Sweden would support a party funded by France's National Front.

[An Gadaí]

Supporting the UUP would be a bit pointless in Northern Ireland these days, they're a spent force. Why not go with something like the Alliance Party (http://www.allianceparty.org/)?

[Qin Shi Huangdi]

Could you, please, supply a cite for that?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweden_Democrats

For the 2010 election in the municipality of Södertälje (Stockholm County), SD was the only party with a majority of immigrants on its electoral list, mostly Chaldean Christians from the Middle East. Polling 7.31 % (3,447 votes), SD's municipal list in Södertälje got 5 of the 65 municipal seats. Nader Helawi and two other Swedes from immigrant origin will sit as municipal councillors.[26][27][28]

Supporting the UUP would be a bit pointless in Northern Ireland these days, they're a spent force. Why not go with something like the Alliance Party (http://www.allianceparty.org/)?

They are rather too liberal and just ignore the main issue. I'd go with DUP then.

[An Gadaí]

They are rather too liberal and just ignore the main issue. I'd go with DUP then.

Ignore what main issue?

[Qin Shi Huangdi]

Ignore what main issue?

They are "neutral" on the Union issue.

[An Gadaí]

I think the main issue is people being able to get work, and feed, cloth, shelter and educate their children, pretty much the same as anywhere else. This requires a stable and largely neutral government, within or without the Union.

[Acsenray]

A typically socialist viewpoint.

Surely you see that the moral question of nationalism against unionism is more important than something like people's welfare, which the government has no business meddling with.

Although I can't quite figure out how, as an American, it's so easy to choose between the two.

Would Michael Collins have been a Reagan worshipper?

[Qin Shi Huangdi]

I think the main issue is people being able to get work, and feed, cloth, shelter and educate their children, pretty much the same as anywhere else. This requires a stable and largely neutral government, within or without the Union.

So when the South tried to secede what was the most important political issue-secession or something else?

[An Gadaí]

A typically socialist viewpoint.

Surely you see that the moral question of nationalism against unionism is more important than something like people's welfare, which the government has no business meddling with.

Although I can't quite figure out how, as an American, it's so easy to choose between the two.

Would Michael Collins have been a Reagan worshipper?

Am I being whooshed here?

[Acsenray]

Is it that subtle?

[foolsguinea]

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[An Gadaí]

Is it that subtle?

For my hangover-addled cranium, yes, yes it is.

[An Gadaí]

So when the South tried to secede what was the most important political issue-secession or something else?

Apples, meet oranges.

[Gleena]

Suspect our Australian Liberals are too left for you Qin. You'd be a Nationals supporter for sure. Yeah, we got Tony Abbot (aka The Mad Monk) but the Libs also have Malcom Turnbull, who I have quite a bit of respect for.

On the other hand, you'd be all in love with (platonically, of course) Barnaby Joyce. Ugh.

[Siam Sam]

No, I am a white American citizen. Even if I were to obtain Thai citizenship (haha!), naturalized citizens are not allowed to vote.

It seems I am behind the times. This changed three years ago upon enactment of the 2007 constitution. That changed the situation to allow naturalized citizens the right to vote, but not until they've been citizens for five years. (Monks still cannot vote. They're supposed to be above politics.)

[Balthisar]

That's something I've not been able to determine in Mexico. There's both the idea of "national" and "citizen" here, and only citizens can vote. Anyone can nationalize if they follow the rules and qualify. As far as I can tell, "citizens" are "nationals" that are over 18 and follow the law. But I'm not certain that nationalized citizens (i.e., not born of the blood) can vote, and I'm fairly certain that they can't hold office. (There's a lot of paranoia towards the foreign-born in this country, more-so than in the USA, and probably not without its reasons. As is, I'm not allowed to voice a political opinion.)