University:
Bradley University
Course:
PLS 301 | Topics in American Politics
Academic year:

2024
Views:

436

Pages:

11
Author:

Angelica Rose

The Two-Party System Chapter 5 Section 2 Why a Two-Party System? • A number of factors, collectively, have contributed to having a two-party system 1. The Historical Basis 2. The Force of Tradition 3. The Electoral System 4. The American Ideological Consensus The Historical Basis • Two opposing groups since the beginning of our nation’s history • Federalists v. Anti-Federalists • However, George Washington hated the idea of political parties altogether • Because the Framers did not think they would exist, there is no mention of political parties in the Contitution The Force of Tradition • Nation started out as a two-party system • Americans today generally accept the twoparty system • Minor Parties have had little success The Electoral System • Single-member districts – one winner per race • Voters feel like a vote is often “wasted” on a minor party candidate • Republicans and Democrats shape elections laws to discourage minor parties • Ballot access for minor party candidates can be difficult The American Ideological Consensus • Although the U.S. is a pluralistic society, Americans share the same principles and beliefs • Americans have a consensus on fundamental matters • Because sharp disagreements do not exist, minor parties have been deemed obsolete Multiparty Systems • Multiparty Systems contain several major and many lesser parties – exist in European democracies • Parties are typically principle/issue oriented • Believed to provide a broader representation of the public and provide more choices to voters • However, this is usually not the case • Government tends to be unstable • Parties will often form coalitions to win elections and control the government • In many instances these governments have had several crises • Frequent party changes • Due to single-member districts the multiparty system is near impossible in the U.S. One-Party Systems • A one-party system can be classified as a “no party system” • Two-Types of One-Party Systems 1. Dictatorships – only one party is allowed 2. Modified – one party in a region controls all offices (1/3 of all U.S. States today) Party Membership Patterns • Memberships is strictly VOLUNTARY • Parties tend to appeal to broad representations of the public • For example African Americans, Catholics, Jews, and union members often vote Democrat • White males, Protestants, and business community lean more Republican • Reasons why people identify with a specific party: 1. Family 2. Major Events 3. Economic Status 4. Minor Factors : Age, Place of Residence, Level of Education, and Work Environment