The Two Party System

Reasons for a 2 Party System

1. Historical Basis

• Rooted in the beginnings of the nation itself. Though the framers were for the most part against a two party system, the Federalists and Anti-Federalists were examples of actions of political parties.

Force of Tradition

• “It has always been this way.”

American Ideological consensus

What unites us is much stronger than what

divides us.

Multi-party system

• A system in which several major and many lesser parties exist. This arrangement exists in many European democracies today.

One Party System

• Essentially a dictatorship.

• Really a no-party system.

Membership in parties

• Voluntary membership in the United States

• In Ohio, you only become registered as a member of a party in a primary election. They will ask you what ballot you want.

How does one choose a party?

• Family

• Race

• Income level

• Religious beliefs

• Job status

• Major events (Civil War, Depression, Civil Rights, Watergate scandel)