Over the years, the United States has had only two major political parties competing for power. However, there have been a few instances where a Third-Party exerts influence. During the early years of America, parties were considered as fractions, not good for the country’s governance. The American Revolution catalyzed the democratization of its politics as it ushered in the ratification of the Constitution, which marked the beginning of the first American party system (Moreno). After the constitution was made, the federalists took charge of the government and began implementing policies that provoked opposition politics. The essay discusses the evolution of America’s party system, obstacles to third parties (biased electoral process, scarce media coverage, and lack of leadership), and the importance of third parties in U.S. politics.
The Evolution of Party System in America
The first party system in America was witnessed between 1789 and 1815, after the ratification of the Constitution. This process gave birth to two antagonists, namely, the federalists and the anti-federalists (Moreno). After the election under the new constitutional order, a federalist won the presidency. However, Federalist movement lost the 1800 election to Republicans, or Democratic-Republicans (Moreno). This was partly because they were implementing policies that were ant-party politics.
The Second and Civil War Party Systems
The Republicans continued to dominate politics because they were pragmatic and adopted some federalist policies. This led to the extinction of the federalist association in 1812 (Moreno). However, the nationalism idea pushed by President John Quincy Adams revived the new push for opposition and gave rise to a new party called the Democratic Party. At this point in time, the parties started becoming permanent, popular among citizens and professional institutions. After the civil war, the party system in America reshaped with the Republicans standing for the union. Consequently, in the 1874 election, Republicans gained controlled of the Presidency and Senate, while Democrats took the House (Moreno). To some extent it marked the beginning of dominance of America’s politics by two patties.
The Progressive Party System
Progressive forces led by American intellectuals emerged and started pushing for resurrection of ant-party system. Their agitation and activities resulted in realignments after 1896 election (Moreno). They viewed parties as corrupt, agents of big corporations, and hostile to the welfare of ordinary citizens. Democrats aligned with their progressive ideals and managed to take control of government following the 1912 election (Moreno). Further, progressive movement equally led the introduction of direct primaries for presidential candidates.
New Deal and the Sixth Party Systems
The great depression of 1929 saw the old Democratic constituencies form alliances with the labor unions, blacks, farmers, artists, and intellectuals. This led to their victories in the 1932, 1934 midterm, and 1936 elections (Moreno). Further, from 1930 to 1966, Democrats controlled both the Presidency, the House, and Senate many times than the Republicans (Moreno). However, the new deal weakened the party system as it ushered in an administrative state that provided benefit entitlements to citizens. The result was a divided government with a balance of party control over the government.
Obstacles to the Existence of Third-Party
The function of the electoral system in America is such that presidential candidates are elected based on college votes per state. To win in each state, a candidate must defeat their opponent (the runner-up) by a simple majority of popular votes, which can be as few as one (1) vote (Lemieux). This system does allow voters to select other candidates apart from their first choice.
Biased Media Coverage
The third political party has always faced a lack of publicity as a result of poor, and biased media coverage. Most media houses, both electronic and print, give full coverage to the two main parties’ (Republican and Democrat) candidates but ignore others (Conroy). This diverts public attention away from third parties and their candidates. As a result, voters disregard them because they do not see them capable of winning elections.
Third-Party Movements Lack Leadership
Any attempt to build a formidable force outside of the two dominant parties requires the presence of someone with national appeal who can galvanize liberals around a common national interest. This has been lacking in each general election, so fringe candidates end up not making any impact during campaigns (Conroy). The other hurdle that they must overcome is having the capacity to attract funding similar to what Republicans and Democrats do in order to make a serious run for the presidency.
The Importance of Third parties in the U.S. Politics
Some people normally cast their ballot for candidates whom they think believe in what they cherish. This they do irrespective of whether their choices win or lose (Doherty). Others do not have any reason for voting and have sworn never to align with any major party. Thus, they turn up at the booth on Election Day just to have fun and vote for any of the third-party candidates.
Third-Party Makes Voting Enjoyable
There is an electorate who think of third-party candidates, not as leaders of entities out to take power. They see them as pleasing options to pass the time during election cycles, as required by the ideals of democracy. To this group of voters, third-party candidates are fun, fulfilling, and meet their voting needs irrespective of the results (Doherty). They enjoy supporting them despite other people being against this proposition.
Third-Party Can Create Moral Zeal among the Electorate
Third-Party candidates should push for and identify with the principles that all citizens are equal. This has been lacking in both Republicans and Democrats who are seen as having thrown out ethics and morals and embraced business as usual in Washington (Domhoff). Thus, there is a need to have an alternative party with a strong inclination toward moral behaviors and ethics. This should have a distinctive social identity that sides with the lowest and most vulnerable citizens, who are always ignored by the two parties’ operatives.
Works Cited
Conroy, Scott. “There Are Major Obstacles to a Viable Third-Party in the United States.”Government Gridlock, edited by Margaret Haerens, Greenhaven Press, 2015. Web.
Doherty, Brian. “Third Parties in the U.S Cannot Win, But They Are Still Worthwhile.” Does the two-Party System Still Work?, edited by Noah Berlatsky, Greenhaven Press, 2010. Web.
Domhoff, G. William. “Third-Party Campaigns Can Hurt Liberals and Everyday People.” Does the two-Party System Still Work?, edited by Noah Berlatsky, Greenhaven Press, 2010. Web.
Lemieux, Scott. “Revise the Electoral System to Encourage All Voters to Support their First Choice.” Gale, 2022. Web.
Moreno, Paul D. “Political Party Systems.” American Governance, edited by Stephen Schechter, Macmillan US, 1st edition, 2016. Credo. Web.