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The Resilience of the Two Party System
Despite civil upheavals, wars, population influxes and the demise of several parties in history, two parties still stand with promising durability. When circumstances have required it, innovative groups have dissented from the established regime to create a new third party. However, acting according to a theory proposed by Maurice Duverger, which states that the simple-majority ballot system favors the two-party system, these groups fade in our plurality-rule voting system .� The incumbent major parties remain politically flexible and willing to reach a sort of equilibrium, both moving towards the middle to choke out the emergent opposition. As Duverger's law suggests, our "first past the post" system leaves almost no chance for these third party candidates. And those stubborn few who try are foiled by systematic obstacles and bias against third parties. Rational constituents are inclined to vote for the candidate who closely resembles their ideals, but perhaps more significantly, has a chance of winning to make their vote worthwhile.
Ralph Nader signing books at Barnes & Noble Union ...
English: Head-and-shoulders portrait of Ralph Nade...
Ross Perot at the United States Department of Vete...Citizens support the two-party system, most reaching a consensus on even the most salient social and economic issues rather than revolutionize our familiar system. The law is supplemented by innate challenges within our voting institution that further hinders third party candidates from having a viable chance at presidency. The worth of each vote and the structure of our electoral system together promise an enduring term for Democrats and Republicans, with evidence throughout history showing voters and politicians proving Duverger correct in that plurality rule systems do indeed favor a two party system.�
In today's electoral landscape, a growing number of citizens are losing faith in parties, with the prolific polarization and gridlock that consumes congress. Many are skeptical of both their efficacy and integrity, deeming them a...