Is two party politics changing political debate into mindless contradiction?

Question

The endless war between Democrats and Republicans reminds me of a certain Monty Python sketch.

Answer 1

An entire nation based on "The Argument Clinic" sketch.

Answer 2

I would say yes, to some degree. The lack of multiple viable choices is, not exactly forcing, but compelling people to vote on the one or two "hot-button" issues that they think are most important. Therefore, people will often vote for the party that doesn't have their interests in mind only because that party has a similar stance to them on a "hot-button" issue or two.

This breeds mindless contradiction because the parties realize that these "hot-button" issues are the ones that will get them votes. Therefore, they endlessly debate these few issues. And this, in turn, causes the masses to take up the same arguments.

The unfortunate part of this is that these "hot-button" issues are very black and white. There isn't really a middle ground on which people can compromise. Thus, with abortion, for example, we have those that believe implicitly that all unborn babies deserve to live, and we have those that believe it should be the mother's choice. So then we basically have people on one side shouting "Pro-Life" while those on the other side are shouting "no, Pro-Choice."

So in the end, there are just a bunch of angry people shouting at each other about these emotional issues rather than calmly debating the whole political spectrum.

Answer 3

I LOVE Monty Python. But as for your question. perhaps its not a bad thing. Here in Ireland we have quite a multi-party system with Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein, labour, Progressive Democrats, Green Party and more as well as various Independents. The domineering party is Fianna Fail and the only way to have them not in power is through a multi-party coalition (what we call a Rainbow Government). however, this hardly happens as Fianna Fail just joins with one of the smaller parties with promises and gets in all the time. As it stands it seems like a Fianna Fail dictatorship sometimes. There not a bad party but its just not fair. The two party system you have seems to create some competition for votes and what we might consider a "clean election" as it is a head to head showdown between Republicans and Democrats. However, here the votes are cast but the important part isn't the votes, its the inter-party wheelings and dealings. It can get quite corrupt and frustrating for honest citizens of The Republic Of Ireland. I can understand your point but i just had to explain this to show how your system might be good. I'm not saying its not corrupt (Bush-florida)

Answer 4

Pobody's nerfect. One wheel turns the other. The problem may lie in the majority parties that are in power in the US. There are many ideals that all need to be hammered, and ironed out. The problem may also lie in those that represent said parties. There is presently a strong conservative leadership in America. The majority is Republican by a damn sight, so as you can see, the debates are obtusely one-sided. It reminds me of a quote from the late outlaw, Dr. Hunter S. Thompson:

"Richard Nixon looks like a flaming liberal today, compared to a golem like George Bush. Indeed. Where is Richard Nixon now that we finally need him?"

The powers that be are iniquitously and hypocritically, Christian right wingers. Democrats have little say, and not many are listening.

Answer 5

The US has essentially always had a 2-party political system. You're right, the US political system is pretty much a joke right now. It's a 2 family monarchy between the Bushs & the Clintons.

Answer 6

To the contrary our two party system combined with a winner take all electoral system drives American politcs, for good or for ill. Intensity of opinion (as measured by campiagn contributions and politcal activism) counts far more than sheer numbers of disinterested citizens. This forces parties to court the extremes of any given political divide to raise cash and recruit volunteers to win elections. It also allows relatively small numbers of passionate people to drive politcal debate by framing questions to their benefit (the Death tax is a great example)

Answer 7

No, it is one party has all the power that it is abused, this should be our lesson from all that has happened in the U.S. and elsewhere in the last 5 years.