Too bad you did not dig deeper at the political-system level. It looks like you did not realize there are two forms of democracy:

* Inclusive Democracy

* Exclusive Democracy

This is not a simple aspect, but rather a fundamental difference, including how parties behave.

In one, the voters are dependent on the parties. In the other, the parties are dependent on the voters. Quite a difference.

In the US, we have the Exclusive Democracy, or Majority Representation (the Minority does not win any seats). Because of the system, only two parties are in control for all years or almost all years. It is like Mom and Dad, and there is no escaping their house.

In Proportional Voting, however, the parties are not like Mom and Dad. It is more like different homes in a street. When there are more parties, one can switch parties.

Dictatorship -- Two-Party System -- Democracy

We can see parties in all three systems, but they behave differently.

I can recommend watching Borgen on Netflix. It is a fictional but insightful series about democracy in Denmark, following one woman who ends up becoming prime-minister.

Denmark has one House only.

The USA has House, Senate and Presidency, so your voting three times can end up becoming a good fight between your votes. Not so in Denmark, where the voters are more empowered than in the US, by as much as twice the amount of power.

Please continue your writing. You are exposing good problems, but you could dig deeper.