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

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