actually this has become part of the left's desire for a "shadow government" like england.
The party that looses is actually made the "minority government" or shadow government. They appoint their own shadow cabinet with shadow ministers who basically are the runners up.
This means it is proportional representation not winner take all like the USA. This is why kerry, hitlary, billclinton,algore, madalin albright, and especially jimmy carter go to these nations as if they represent the USA. They are abusing the ignorance of the europeans to think that somehow the minority is actually relevant to government.
One of the assets of US government is that we DON't have mob rule like the english or french who can oust a president instantly with political manipulation. Our government is more stable.
Look at the italians, only the very recent memory have then not switch governments monthly.
The UK does not have proportional representation. UK parliamentary elections are "first past the post" meaning a plurality is required to win each seat.
The Shadow Cabinet's purpose is to have an opposition member monitoring and criticising each member of the government front bench.
Excellent point. The Italians government merry-go-round is a perfect example of the kind of flexibility the prof is pushing gone wild.