Obama vs Romney: Why Americans Should Reassess the Two Party System

“They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels and modified by mutual interests.” – George Washington, “Farewell Address," 1796

We are a nation of two political parties, which dominate not only Washington but also local and state governments throughout the nation. No sector of American society is immune to the influences and corruption of political parties. To take it a step further, American political parties have developed as a dual-party system. This development has occurred on either side of a distinct divide, leaving no room for any outside, or third, party to have an impact or triumph in any major way.

The Antifederalists began calling themselves the Democratic Republicans, and with the exception of the “Era of Good Feelings” in the early 19th century, when most Americans identified with the Democratic Republicans, America would never be void of political parties again. The progression of political parties continued; in each era, two political parties dominated. Whether they were the Whigs and Democrats, southern Democrats and northern Republicans, or modern-day Republicans and Democrats, the structure was the same. Two parties vied for power, Americans voted along party lines, and third party interests were largely ignored or neglected.

We are a nation divided along party lines: you are either a Democrat or a Republican. You vote for a party, not a candidate. If you hold a different ideological belief, of course you can voice it, but a vote for a third party candidate or an independent is, essentially and unfortunately, a vote wasted.

There are clear advantages to a two-party system: stability and moderation, which are crucial components of American democracy. We are not alone in hosting a dual-party system, nor are we necessarily wrong. But does a two-party system detract from the idea of democracy? A party that is primarily only supported by a minority can control the federal government.

Is it worth it to have less choice? The United Kingdom, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Serbia, and Canada are all nations that operate or have operated under a multi-party system, that is, a political arena in which three or more parties are considered “major," exerting some kind of political control.

As the November election approaches, it seems as though a growing population of Americans are dissatisfied with both political parties and both presidential candidates. It is times like these when we must question whether there is a better way to structure our democracy, a better way to give more Americans a voice, greater choice, and more direct influence in government affairs.