essay 1 Flashcards
What are the two dominant political parties in the United States?
Democratic and Republican parties
What is the ‘winner-take-all’ electoral system?
An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins, discouraging support for third parties
What does Duverger’s Law state?
In electoral systems with single-member districts and plurality voting, a two-party system is the most likely outcome
Why do voters avoid ‘wasting’ votes on third-party candidates?
Because third-party candidates have little chance of winning
What is required for a candidate to win the presidency in the U.S.?
A majority of electoral votes
What is Duverger’s Hypothesis?
Presidential elections in plurality-based systems further cement two-party dominance by limiting viable alternatives
What historical parties set the precedent for the two-party system in the U.S.?
Federalists and Democratic-Republicans
What key issues have historically driven party realignments in the U.S.?
- Slavery
- Industrialization
- Civil rights
How do U.S. election laws affect third-party candidates?
They often require gathering thousands of signatures for ballot access
What advantage do major parties have in terms of ballot access?
Automatic ballot access
What is a major disadvantage third parties face regarding campaign finance?
Struggling to secure funding due to restrictive laws and lower media exposure
What does the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) stipulate for public matching funds?
Candidates must meet strict fundraising thresholds
What percentage of the popular vote must third-party candidates secure to qualify for public funding?
At least 5%
What role have third parties played in U.S. politics despite their challenges?
Influencing major parties and shifting political discourse
What were two examples of influential third parties in U.S. history?
- Progressive Party of 1912
- Green Party in 2000
What is the primary reason for the persistence of the two-party system in the U.S.?
Winner-take-all electoral rules, historical party evolution, and institutional barriers
How does the media contribute to the two party system
frames politics as a 2-sided contest between Democrats & Republicans, excluding 3rd parties from serious consideration
What style of reporting do the media use that reinforces 2 party dominance
horse race style- reinforces idea that only 2 major parties matter
How does partisan media contribute to the two party system
Right/Fox and Left/MSNBC reinforce loyalty to the 2 major parties, emphasizing difs between them- deepens partisan identities and makes voters less open to alt.parties
How does partisan identification contribute to 2 party dominance
many americans develep strong connection to either D or R, less likely to consider other candidates. as partisanship deepens, voters more motivated to oppose the other party and fear of the greater evil leads many to vote for lesser of 2 evils rather than risking wasting their vote on a 3rd party
