As long as you need a majority of the electoral college to win, you will have two major parties. Three strong parties means that Congress picks the President. That’s why when a major party dies (like the Whigs) another one takes its place (like the Republicans).
And the reason that the Democrats and the Republicans are major parties is BECAUSE they are ideologically flexible, and include groups that have almost nothing in common (like conservative Christians and Wall Street – both Republican). If the mood of the country shifts right, they shift right. If the mood of the country shifts left, they shift left. Libertarians and Greens will never become major parties simply because they are ideological purists, and therefore can’t adjust to changing moods and times.
Darsan54 Premium Member over 6 years ago
Good point Winslow. On the other hand, the Greens and Libertarians (sic?) need to win some down ticket races to build a base.
Ignatz Premium Member over 6 years ago
As long as you need a majority of the electoral college to win, you will have two major parties. Three strong parties means that Congress picks the President. That’s why when a major party dies (like the Whigs) another one takes its place (like the Republicans).
And the reason that the Democrats and the Republicans are major parties is BECAUSE they are ideologically flexible, and include groups that have almost nothing in common (like conservative Christians and Wall Street – both Republican). If the mood of the country shifts right, they shift right. If the mood of the country shifts left, they shift left. Libertarians and Greens will never become major parties simply because they are ideological purists, and therefore can’t adjust to changing moods and times.