How come America only seems to have 2 Political Parties

Riddle101

Unless there are more the only political parties i've ever heard of were The Republicans and The Democrats but why is this so. Has anyone ever tired to create another Political Party in USA or has it just always been the Pubs and the Demos. I kind've thought that maybe the Government won't allow a for another one because of their system but then that would be like a Dictatorship. So what's the deal with this?

mikemac

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_political_parties_in_the_United_States

You forgot the Liberatarian, Constitutional and the Green Parties.
Whatever about the first two, the Green Party would be known as Ralph Nader represented them afaik

All of them have Presidental candidates, not just the main two

dr.bollocko

They just have support divided across two particularly strong parties. There are other fringe parties but these dont really get a look in. If you look at the UK, it would be a similar situation. The Lib Dems, for example, are never going to get into power over Labour / Conservatives. But you are right, the two party politics sort of makes it an unfortuante choice as you have to agree with an entire platform of the one party you vote for. Its an unfortuante situation, replicated across the world, but if you were to decide to vote for an alternative, you are essentially throwing your vote away. Its discouraged, because of say, if Nader hadnt run in 00, then Gore would have been in the White House.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duverger's_law

Pete4779

dr.bollocko wrote: »

Its an unfortuante situation, replicated across the world[/url]

That's clearly untrue. Most countries in Europe (our own included) have a large range of parties. How many party majority governments has Ireland had?

And no, democracy is what cause Gore not to win (or voting corruption). People are allowed vote for who they want they didn't throw their vote away - a tired Democratic line to try and portray Gore as a "true" winner. Everyone got a vote, he lost.

Its discouraged, because of say, if Nader hadnt run in 00, then Gore would have been in the White House.

That's nonsense. Spreading the idea that if you don't vote for one of two people that you are wasting a vote is exactly what causes the type of quagmire that the US is in. Obviously democratic supporters are quite happy to continue a two party majority system and try and marginalise other relevant parties.

Or is it a case of :
"Yeah vote Green party in Ireland - spoil your vote! You have to vote FG or FF. If all the people who voted for their own choices voted FG instead then FF wouldn't be in power".

And if pigs had wings, they'd be able to fly.

dr.bollocko

No its not nonsense. Nader benefitted by taking votes from Gore, as very few republicans would transfer a vote to someone like him. If Nader had not run, Gore would have. Surely this is obvious to anyone? And really, the tone of your post is a bit ridiculous considering I was just offering an opinion. Lighten the hell up man.

dr.bollocko

Also its quite different to vote for a green party candidate to get into the Dail than it is to vote on a presidential election. The candidate then has a voice in the Dail and therefore its valid even if he isnt in power. To vote for Nader, a presidential candidate that was never, ever, ever going to win, is essentially throwing a vote away if you are on the democrat side of the fence and want to see someone who isnt a crazy redneck in the whitehouse.

johnnyskeleton

It's better to have 2 big parties who stand for separate and distinct policies rather than having as many parties as we do, who all essentially believe in the same thing.

User45701

I think its better to have as many parties as anyone wants, for example if you decide this goverment is flawed you can set up your own goverment party and run in the next ellection.

What if both the parties even though they are oposite ends of the spectrum both have a flawed view on an issue like military spending or nucular power or maybe the goverments view and your view on how to deal with law breakers is different? who knows.