Categories: All - consensus - electoral - tradition - membership

by Samantha Alaniz 8 years ago

535

Why Two Political Parties

In the United States, the political landscape is dominated by two major parties due to historical, traditional, and systemic factors. The single-member electoral system, where one candidate is elected per office, inherently discourages non-major party candidates.

Why Two Political Parties

Why Two Political Parties

One Party System

seen nearly in all dictatorships but can happen in States and local area.

Multiparty systems

May lead to instability in government: One party unable to win support of a majority of voters-Hence, there is a need for coalitions.
Coalition-Temporary alliance of several groups who come together to form a working majority and to control a government.
Parties are based on a particular interests (economic class, religious belies, or political ideology.
System where several major and lesser parties exist, compete and win public offices.

Party membership Patterns

Party membership is purely voluntary and people identify themselves with a party for many reasons
Level of Education
Economic Status
Major Events
Family: Influence by Parents

American Ideological consensus

Normally, American people share many of the same ideals, basic principles and patterns of belief.

The Historical Basis, Tradition, and Electoral System

much of American election law is written to discourage non-major party candidates.
Single-member system: one candidate is elected to each office on the ballot.