As long as you require a majority of the electoral college to win the Presidency, it DOES have to be that way. There will always be two major parties as long as you need 270 out of 538 electors.
The Republicans and Democrats are coalitions of smaller groups who have gotten together for the purpose of winning a majority. And they stay in power BECAUSE they are not very ideological, but flexible, and can move right or left as the electorate moves right or left.
As long as each election is a ‘winner take all’ contest for one position, you’ll get a 2-party system. There is no prize for coming in second, let alone third, fourth, or fifth. Smaller parties never win, and eventually starve, leaving only two that can be competitive.
braindead Premium Member over 6 years ago
For now … exactly right.
If the big money interests continue to get their way, there will be only one party.
And the clock will strike thirteen.
Ignatz Premium Member over 6 years ago
As long as you require a majority of the electoral college to win the Presidency, it DOES have to be that way. There will always be two major parties as long as you need 270 out of 538 electors.
The Republicans and Democrats are coalitions of smaller groups who have gotten together for the purpose of winning a majority. And they stay in power BECAUSE they are not very ideological, but flexible, and can move right or left as the electorate moves right or left.
WestNYC Premium Member over 6 years ago
Republicans are backwards on social issues and Democrats are backwards on fiscal issues.
Rich Hart over 6 years ago
As long as each election is a ‘winner take all’ contest for one position, you’ll get a 2-party system. There is no prize for coming in second, let alone third, fourth, or fifth. Smaller parties never win, and eventually starve, leaving only two that can be competitive.
Rich Hart over 6 years ago
Further, whichever side is more splintered tends to lose, giving both left and right strong incentive to hang together—resulting in two big parties.