A Level Politics - US Political Parties - The two-party domination of American Politics

A Level Politics - US Political Parties - The two-party domination of American politics
This guide summarizes the text on the enduring two-party system in American politics. Understanding this system requires grasping its historical context, the challenges faced by third parties, and the nuances within the dominant parties themselves.
I. The Prevalence of the Two-Party System:

• Elected Offices & Election Results: The US has consistently been a two-party dominant system since its inception. Republicans and Democrats overwhelmingly control Congress, state legislatures, and presidential elections.
• Limited Third-Party Success: Third parties and independents have historically struggled to gain significant traction. Examples are used to illustrate this point:
  • Congress: While a few independents exist, they typically caucus with one of the major parties (e.g., Angus King and Bernie Sanders with the Democrats). Even those who attempt to remain truly independent (like Justin Amash) rarely achieve long-term success.
  • Presidential Elections: No third-party or independent candidate has won Electoral College votes since George Wallace in 1968. Ross Perot's 19% in 1992 remains a notable exception, but even that fell short of victory. The 2020 election saw a near-total 98% vote share for the two major parties.

II. The Challenges Faced by Third Parties:

• Short Lifespans: Most third parties are short-lived, often built around a single charismatic figure. They tend to "sting like a bee then die," as Richard Hofstadter described. The American Independent Party (AIP), built around George Wallace, serves as a prime example; it faded once Wallace returned to the Democrats.
• Lack of Pedigree: Established third parties like the Greens (1980s origins) and Libertarians (founded in 1971) are relatively recent compared to the Republicans and Democrats.
• Association with Major Parties: Even prominent independents often have close ties to one of the major parties. Michael Bloomberg, for instance, previously held office as a Republican before running as an independent. Similarly, Donald Trump chose the Republican route.

III. Nuances Within the Two-Party System:

• Decentralized Nature: Although often perceived as monolithic, the two major parties have a decentralized structure with numerous state-level organizations (arguably 100, not just two).
• The Role of Primaries: The primary system allows ambitious individuals to run independent campaigns while still leveraging the branding and resources associated with a major party. This fosters internal competition within each party.
• Franchise Model Analogy: The text suggests that the two main parties function similarly to a franchise model in business; independently owned and financed at the local level, yet operating under a recognizable and established brand.

IV. Key Concepts:

• Third Parties: Parties outside of the Republican and Democratic parties (e.g., Green Party, Libertarian Party).
• Independent Candidates: Candidates not affiliated with the major parties; often creating their own short-lived parties (e.g., Ross Perot and the Reform Party).

Study Questions:

1. Why have third parties historically struggled to gain significant power in the US political system?
2. How does the decentralized nature of the two major parties affect their overall strength and influence?
3. What role do primaries play in shaping the landscape of American politics and the success (or lack thereof) of third-party and independent candidates?
4. Evaluate the "franchise model" analogy used to describe the structure of the two major parties. What are its strengths and weaknesses as an explanatory tool?
5. Discuss the impact of charismatic leaders on the success and longevity of third parties. Use specific examples from the text to support your argument.

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