How believable is a unanimous vote of 375-0, It happened in Moscow

 

The Moscow Times reports that Russian lawmakers have approved Mikhail Mishustin's return as Prime Minister with a unanimous vote of 375-0. While this outcome may not be surprising given Russia's political landscape, it raises interesting questions about the statistical probability of achieving such a result in a Western democracy.

In a Western democratic system, where diverse political views and opinions are encouraged, a unanimous vote is extremely rare. The probability of achieving a 375-0 vote in a Western democracy is statistically negligible.

To put this into perspective, let's consider a simple probability calculation. Assuming each lawmaker has an independent and equal chance of voting in favor or against the prime minister's nomination (a simplification, as political affiliations and ideologies play a significant role), the probability of a single lawmaker voting in favor is 0.5 (50%).

To calculate the probability of all 375 lawmakers voting in favor, we raise this probability to the power of 375: (0.5)^375 ≈ 0.0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001

This probability is incredibly small, making it highly unlikely to achieve a unanimous vote in a Western democracy. In contrast, Russia's political system, where the ruling party has a strong grip on power and opposition is limited, makes such an outcome more plausible.

The article highlights that even the Communist Party, which holds 57 seats, abstained from the vote instead of voting against the nomination. This suggests a level of coordination and control within the political system, which is not typically seen in Western democracies.

The rapid process of Mishustin's reappointment, with meetings and voting taking place within a short timeframe, also raises questions about the level of debate and scrutiny in Russia's political process. In Western democracies, such appointments often involve more extensive consultations and deliberations.

In conclusion, while Mishustin's reappointment as Prime Minister may not be surprising in Russia's political context, the statistical probability of achieving a 375-0 vote in a Western democracy is extremely low. This highlights the differences in political systems and the level of political diversity and debate within them.