The Two-Party System
By definition, “a two-party system is a political system in which two strong and established parties compete for political offices” (Sidlow & Henschen p.146). The Democrats and the Republicans make up our two party system. Some may wonder why the United States has only Democrats and Republicans as their political parties and if there is an opportunity for other parties. There are many factors that are considered relevant in the conjunction of the existence of the two-party system. Likewise, there are some major consequences of having a two-party system. Historically, the Founders of the United States did not anticipate a two-party system, unlike important institutions. In fact, they rejected the notion for political parties. Political parties
were not even mentioned in the Constitution, unlike the presidency and Congress was. “The division between the Federalist and the Anti-federalist initiated a model that extended over time and the outcome resulted in a two-party system” (Sidlow & Henschen p.146). According to the textbook, “one of the reasons for the sustainability of the two-party system is because there is no other alternative” (Sidlow & Henschen p.159). There are “third parties”, but they have encountered difficulty to compete with the two major parties. Third parties have made a difference because they are ‘safely values’ for popular dissatisfaction and they bring new groups and ideas in politics. The all-embracing essence of the two major parties allows little room for third parties. Today, the United States has two major political parties that make up our two-party system, the Democrats and the Republicans. Unlike the United States, other democratic countries have more than two political parties. Each of our parties consists of like-minded individuals that have mostly the same characteristics. The important factors that result in the existence of the two-party system are “race, age, income, education, marital status, and geography. These factors all influence party identification. For example, the upper-income voters support the Republican Party” (Sidlow & Henschen p. 147). The counties that are more urban, geographically, support the Democratic Party (Sidlow & Henschen p. 147). There are advantages in having a two-party system- stability, moderation, and ease. It is less confusing to only have two parties to choose from. The disadvantages are clear; they have a lack of choice and they tend to be less democratic. Voters are limited to vote for two parties. The parties can be very homogeneous, which limits voters’ opinions. The functions of the political parties “include nominating candidates for election to public office, structuring the voting choice in elections, proposing alternative government programs and coordinating the actions of government officials” (Sidlow & Henschen p. 155). The electoral system is to blame as to why we have a two party system in the United States and the process of political socialization here. Since 1856, every president has been either a Republican or a Democrat. Also, each and every department of government, the elected members often come from one of the parties In each race, only one candidate remains valid to be elected under plurality voting. The first-past-the-post, winner-takes-all electoral system.
In conclusion, we may never get away from the United States’ two-party system. There may never be another party that can have an opportunity to compete with the two major political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans. It is difficult for third parties to compete with the Democrats and the Republicans. There are different advantages and disadvantages in having a two-party system. We face several consequences of having a two-party system. The reasons as to why we have a two-party system include historical reasons, social and political cleavages, and institutional design.
were not even mentioned in the Constitution, unlike the presidency and Congress was. “The division between the Federalist and the Anti-federalist initiated a model that extended over time and the outcome resulted in a two-party system” (Sidlow & Henschen p.146). According to the textbook, “one of the reasons for the sustainability of the two-party system is because there is no other alternative” (Sidlow & Henschen p.159). There are “third parties”, but they have encountered difficulty to compete with the two major parties. Third parties have made a difference because they are ‘safely values’ for popular dissatisfaction and they bring new groups and ideas in politics. The all-embracing essence of the two major parties allows little room for third parties. Today, the United States has two major political parties that make up our two-party system, the Democrats and the Republicans. Unlike the United States, other democratic countries have more than two political parties. Each of our parties consists of like-minded individuals that have mostly the same characteristics. The important factors that result in the existence of the two-party system are “race, age, income, education, marital status, and geography. These factors all influence party identification. For example, the upper-income voters support the Republican Party” (Sidlow & Henschen p. 147). The counties that are more urban, geographically, support the Democratic Party (Sidlow & Henschen p. 147). There are advantages in having a two-party system- stability, moderation, and ease. It is less confusing to only have two parties to choose from. The disadvantages are clear; they have a lack of choice and they tend to be less democratic. Voters are limited to vote for two parties. The parties can be very homogeneous, which limits voters’ opinions. The functions of the political parties “include nominating candidates for election to public office, structuring the voting choice in elections, proposing alternative government programs and coordinating the actions of government officials” (Sidlow & Henschen p. 155). The electoral system is to blame as to why we have a two party system in the United States and the process of political socialization here. Since 1856, every president has been either a Republican or a Democrat. Also, each and every department of government, the elected members often come from one of the parties In each race, only one candidate remains valid to be elected under plurality voting. The first-past-the-post, winner-takes-all electoral system.
In conclusion, we may never get away from the United States’ two-party system. There may never be another party that can have an opportunity to compete with the two major political parties, the Democrats and the Republicans. It is difficult for third parties to compete with the Democrats and the Republicans. There are different advantages and disadvantages in having a two-party system. We face several consequences of having a two-party system. The reasons as to why we have a two-party system include historical reasons, social and political cleavages, and institutional design.