Parliamentary politics in Australia and New Zealand challenges the traditional dichotomy drawn between majoritarian (two-party) and consensus (multi-party) systems. Major parties in both countries are now frequently dependent on the support of minor parties and independents for the passage of legislation, whether this is to ensure the passage of legislation through a powerful upper house or due to coalition and/or minority government. The capacity of majoritarian parties to adapt to inter-party negotiation is influenced by three key features: the complexity of the bargaining environment, the organisational structure of the party, and the institutional landscape in which the party operates.
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