American Two-Party System Wilson 9C
Feb 23, 2016
American Two-Party SystemWilson 9C
Two-Party System
• Rare around the world• Evenly balanced national, not locally• Why it still exists in US• Electoral system• Winner-take-all• “Wasted vote”
• Plurality system• Broad coalitions form before election
• Opinion of voters• Difficult for third parties to get on ballot
Minor Parties
• Ideological – comprehensive, radical, enduring• Socialist, Communist, Libertarian
• One-issue – seek single issue, avoid others• Free Soil, Prohibition, Know-Nothing
• Economic Protest – regional, economic conditions• Greenback, Populist
• Factionalist – split from major party, nomination• Bull Moose, American Independent, Reform
(Progressive)
More Minor Parties?
• Surprising more have not lasted• Civil rights• Anti-war
• Slim chance to win• Incorporated in national platforms• Impact is hard to judge• Factional effect political policy most• Ideological last the longest
Nominating the President
• Desire to win leads to appealing candidate• Moderate to general populace• Compromise with extreme views
• Delegate make-up• More ideological than voters*• Less diverse than voters
• Primaries• More numerous• More important• Caucus – most dedicated partisans show up
New Delegates
• Issue-oriented activists• Advantages• Increased opportunities• Decreased chance of splits
• Disadvantages• Nominated candidates that cannot win• Nominated candidates unacceptable to leadership
Parties vs. Voters
• Democrats• More congressional elections• Delegates out of step with average voter• Less successful presidential candidates
• Republicans• Demographic shifts hurt with electorate• Must play to the extremes to get nomination
• Differences usually quite small
Free Response