Reasons Why America Has A Two Party System

Reasons Why America Has A Two Party System

Strong Consensus on Core Political Values • Americans share a strong commitment to a group of core political values that include belief in – Freedom – Political Equality – Individualism – Equality Under the Law

Strong Consensus on Core Political Values • America has never had a strong socialist party dedicated to creating an entirely new political system. • Most Americans identify themselves as moderates who hold beliefs that fall between liberal and conservative views.

Single Member Districts • Almost all American elections are held in singlemember districts where only one candidate is elected to each office on the ballot. • In single-member district elections, the candidate who receives the most votes is the winner. – It is important to note the difference between a plurality and a majority. • In a Plurality election, the winning candidate is the person who receives the most votes. • In a majority election the winning candidate is the person who receives more than half of all votes cast.

Single Member Districts • The winner-take-all, single-member district plurality system is very different than a system based on proportional representation. • In a system based on proportional representation, each party is awarded legislative seats ion proportion to the vote it receives. • For example, in a state with 10 congressional seats, a party receiving 20% of the vote would be awarded 2 seats. • In contrast, in a winner-take-all, single-member district system, the same party would receive no seats.

Single Member Districts • An electoral system based on winner-take-all, single-member districts discourages the emergence of minor parties by forcing t hem to wager expensive campaigns with a minimal chance of winning political offices. • The electoral system based on single-member districts produces legislature dominated by two political parties.

Test Tip • The AP U. S. Government and Politics exam committee has written several multiple-choice questions designed to test your knowledge of America’s system of winner-take-all, singlemember districts. • Be sure you know that this system makes it difficult for new parties to emerge, thus preserving the two-party system.

Legal Barriers to Third Parties • The names of Democratic and Republican candidates are automatically placed on state ballots. • In contrast, minor party candidates must persuade registered voters to sign petitions in order to have their manes placed on the ballot.

The Force of Historic Tradition • America ha had a two-party system since 1800. • The two-party system has generated selfperpetuating laws and traditions. • As a result, it is very difficult for a minor party to become a major force in American politics.