TWO MAJOR PARTIES

The Two-Party System

Factors related to 2-party system

History – two parties arose during the ratification phase of the Constitution

Tradition – that’s the way it’s always been

Electoral system

nearly all U.S. elections are single-member district elections;

voters choose only one candidate for each office

Winner is whoever receives a plurality: the largest number of votes

Election laws discourages minor parties

Consensus

Although the US in a pluralistic society, one that consists of distinct cultures and groups, there exist a broad consensus

Consensus – a general agreement among various groups on fundamental matters

Helps eliminate the need for many parties

Multiparty systems

Found in many parts of the worldHas several major and minor partiesTo gain power, need to form a coalition of

parties

One-party system

Dictatorship s – only one party is allowed.