(U.S.) Should we get away from the 2-party system?

Question

The idea behind a 2-party system is that each party takes a stand on an issue and their stance is supposed to oppose each other. So that when we vote, we are voting either one way or the other on a list of issues. However, there are so many issues that perhaps you feel one way about a certain issue that aligns with one particular party and then with another issue you align with the other party. For example, maybe you are against illegal immigration, pro-choice, want less government spending, and pro-environmental policies. You can choose the party that aligns mostly with your stance on issues, but inevitably you must give up your stance on other issues. Would it be better just to have people vote on these issues individually? What about the situation where there are more than 2 solutions? We have had the 2-party system for a very long time and it doesn't look like it's going to change any time soon. The question is not whether it will change, but rather should the system be different?

Thank you everyone for your answers. I think everyone has addressed the idea of additional parties in a well-thought out manner. Additionally, though, I would like to see someone address the idea of voting democratically on specific issues, instead of voting for representatives aligned with a party (i.e., a republic). If we are considering a hypothetical, we can have more than just a 3-party system up for consideration. :)

Answer 1

Yes we should. Liberal republicans and conservative democrats are almost the same thing, yet they vote for candidates that are far left or far right just because of party affiliation. It's also ashame that third party candidates have no hope of winning when they have some of the best ideas. The idea that your vote is wasted when you vote for the person you like best is terrible. Every vote should count and we need to steer away from our current system. Which incidentally put a theocracy into effect. How can we attempt to bring democracy into other nations when our own leader claims to be led by god.

Answer 2

A great Thought provoking question.I appreciate the way you have analysed how no one party's policy ik on all issues and for some you prefer one and for others the other. A delicate situation and whomsoever you vote to power you have to put up with some un acceptable policies.
Being an Indian I used to envy the two party system since in our country there are as many parties as one can possibly imagine.
Every state has more than a dozen parties and even amongst so called national party the state leaders do not see eye to eye with the natinal heads and even within the state there are half a dozen leaders for the same national party,You can well imagine the situation about regional parties.Still few independents do get elected. The funny situation is the alliance between parties having diametrically opposite views!!1The entire scene is one of vote capturing for coimg to power by hook or crook.
I think two party situation should be continued and within the party how to bring out acceptance of policies on issues to majority views swhould be explored.

Answer 3

I think there should probably be another major party. The current system may leave a lot of people with little to choose from. It seems that there are are a lot of people who don't vote because they don't like the platform of either party. Like you, I don't think it will change any time soon. The party leaders have too much power and they don't want to give it up.

Answer 4

People complain about corruption in politics. But the system in America works precisely like the founding fathers planned. They didn't rely on the good nature of man, they understood that people could be greedy and underhanded. The two party system and checks and balances make sure that one gang of greedy, underhanded people would check the actions of another group of greedy, underhanded people.

Listen to the answer to this and other questions at conservativecrusader.com, the Podcast for 6_15 at the top under recent blogs.

Answer 5

I believe in proportional representation vs. the current majoritarian, first-past-the-post system of the U.S. A proportional system allows for seats to be dispersed based on the percentage of the vote that your party receives. This system is more democratic and much more likely to reflect the variety of views of the population at large.

Answer 6

One of the great failings of third parties in modern US history is their focus on national elections. Such campaigns are expensive in terms of money, time and energy. The more focussed any minor party is in local elections, the more they have at hand to muster a campaign. There are in many places regulatory barriers that make it hard or impossible to place third party candidates on a ballot. Yes, change is required in those ways to make this possible. You are correct in that our choices are much too limited in our present arrangement.

Answer 7

Keep 2. Each should be inclusive enough to represent most positions. If you break up into lots of parties you lose national unity.

Answer 8

I believe we should go over to a multi-party parliamentary system, where everyone's opinions are respected and represented.

Answer 9

yes, do away with party system and campaign fund raising alltogether. Let the individual's platform speak for itself

Answer 10

Yes. Republicans are taking way our rights to vote as we want to. They make it look like we all voted republican even if we didn't.