What is the history of “third parties” in the United States?
In many countries around the world, there are several political parties, but in the United States there are only two that are consistently competitive in elections. Why is this the case? And what are the prospects of a third party emerging, such as the Reform or Green Party, that is competitive with the Democratic and Republican Parties? Have third parties ever been successful in American history? The American system is commonly called a “two-party system” because there have historically been only two major political parties with candidates competing for offices (especially in federal elections). The first two political parties had their origins in the debate over the ratification of the Constitution–the Federalists and Antifederalists. Today, the Republican and Democratic Parties dominate electoral politics. Almost every federal or state-level elected official in the United States is either a Republican or Democrat.
In the United States there are only two political parties that are consistently competing in elections. Why is this the case? The American system is called a “two-party system” because there are usually only two major political parties with viable candidates competing for offices (especially in federal elections). The first two political parties had their origins in the debate over the ratification of the Constitution–the Federalists and Antifederalists. Today, the Republican and Democratic Parties dominate electoral politics. Almost every federal or state-level elected official in the United States is either a Republican or Democrat. The American two-party system is the result of the way elections are structured in the United States. Representatives in the Congress and in state legislatures are elected in single-member districts where the individual with the most votes wins. Because only one party’s candidate can win in each district, there is a strong incentive for political competi
