Why has the Republican and Democrats parties survuved for so long?

Question

Why and how have the Republican and Democrats parties survived in the US for so long?

Answer 1

Even independents in Congress have to belong to either the Republican or Democratic platform. Reason being, they can't get any committee seats if they don't because of the way the Democrats and Republicans have written congressional rules so that committee seats are divided between the majority and minority party with any other parties completely ignored. They've entrenched themselves so that its virtually impossible to change this.

Answer 2

Actually the first answer may be very close to correct. If, I remember correct there was one President that was of the "Independent Party" all others were Republican or Democrat. Ask around your neighborhood who people vote for? It kinda interesting as where I live they not mention a name but a party! It be either Republican or Democrat, not matter who, they just check the box with their party on it. Now, one more little tidbit; Read up on Ross Perot (I hope I got the name correct). Now I not saying he was some "Great White Hope" of politics, but, I do want to make an interesting observation when he did run for President. Ross was not allowed to debate with the other Republican/Democrat runners. Hmmm? Maybe the Republican/Democrats "paid" for the air time on TV for the debate??? Maybe Ross was willing to pay too??? But, I had always thought it was sponsored by the Networks to inform the people of "every" Presidential Candidate. Guess I was wrong.

Answer 3

Americans don't want to choose between any more than 2 things. And the devil you do know is better than the devil you don't.
Unfortunately this plays into the hands of politicians as they only have to appear to be more like the other party to steal votes. The reason these 2 parties have been successful over time is because they have been able to effectively shift philosophies to counter the party in favor. These two parties today are very different than they were 20 years ago, 50 years ago etc... They have survived through continuous change.
You could say they are innovative as they try to follow the current beliefs of the politically interested to gain power.
It's just too easy to vote Republican in one election and then vote Democrat in another. There just isn't really any tangible difference. After all you could argue that George Bush is the "Tax and Spend" president. The tax part just hasn't kicked in yet!!

Answer 4

In the early days of the Republic -- say the first decade or so, whcih would be roughly 1787 to the turn of the century -- there were no political parties. The founding fathers saw great danger in them, in that they could lead to a "tyranny of the majority." That implies the imposition of complete control over anyone in a minority. Centralized power, they thought, would inevitably lead to situations in which the minority would be subjected to subservience to a majority. For this reason, the Constitution contains all sorts of measures ("checks and balances") designed to avoid this. The same idea motivates many of the procedural rules created by Congress, such as the filibuster that the Senate uses to stop certain bills from coming to a vote and becoming law.

Washington, and many of his colleagues, didn't think political parties were needed or wanted. This view turned out to be somewhat naive, as political allies will always form alliances to advance their interests, or to block the plans of their political adversaries. And indeed, a two-party system evolved -- the one that we still have today.

Many countries have multiple-party systems, and there is a constant shifting of alliances. Efforts to create a third party in America have been sporadic, and have never come very close to success.

Does this answer the question?

Answer 5

The government was set up for two. The reason why no one else has had any real recognition (you can argue the green party) is because voting is controlled at the state level. They decide how hard or easy it is for someone to get on a ballot. The sad truth, you NEED money to campaign. No one else has the ability to fund raise like the dems/reps. The reps were almost wiped out in the 20's/30's with the depression. There were just enough still around at local levels to keep them alive.
Jefferson and Madison created two separated parties. Unintentionally.

Answer 6

you're fairly at a loss for words. in the spectrum of political concept, Socialism is one step earlier Communism. Conservatism, and then intense Conservatism is a step under Fascism. the way you ought to look at it relatively is as follows: Being Liberal infers which you sense it fairly is the government's duty to distribute social wealth, classes to each and all the human beings, relatively people who're no longer nicely off on the price of people who're. mutually as to be conservative infers much less government administration, extra freedom for the guy, and is set by human beings having compassion and helping those in prefer by humanitarian efforts and by inner maximum stable will. subsequently, as is self obtrusive...extra taxes are required if the government is giving the duty to accomplish the strikes which Conservatives have faith could desire to be in the palms of the interior maximum sector. as a result, ordinarily, Democrats are equated with bigger individual taxes and Republicans are seen to be the occasion who prefers decrease taxes and leaving the money in the palms of the unfastened individual who will inevitably do the awesome component. as an occasion, bill Gates beginning place, Universities, etc.

Answer 7

Because the american people have not demanded and or form quality, fair, prudent, honorable, and responsible forms of government. They have always elected the same two mediocre, used up, and washed out, and antiquated democrat and republican partays.

Answer 8

Because our entire governmental system was set up as a two party system and they were the dominant parties of the day. They're ingrained into the processes of American government.

Answer 9

For the same reason people buy pet rocks.

Answer 10

they are real survuvers.