Abolishing the Two-Party System

The founding fathers worried that “a division of the republican into two great parties...is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil,” a fear that is visibly manifesting itself. America’s two-party system has existed for centuries, but its increasing threat is due to its now clear-cut distinction. Gone are the two vaguely similar, harmoniously functioning political parties with overlapping agreements and cross-party covenants. We now see two vastly dissimilar parties that create a clear division between American citizens. 

As an observer of the American political scene, one naturally seeks to define the two dominant parties. The Democratic party has come to be labeled and identified as the team of diversity and progressive values, flourishing in cosmopolitan areas, while the Republican party embodies more traditional, white, Christian ideology in more suburban and rural areas. Examining the demographics and stereotypes of these parties, there is an underlying dynamic between the two that involves an overwhelming sense of superiority in each, as well as resentment and distaste for the other. Rightfully so, Democrats pride themselves on moral superiority and hold a deep aversion to conservative and anti-progression Republican ideals. On the other hand, Republicans deplore Democrats’ supposed outlandish, fairytale idealism that neglects to recognize American tradition and Christian values. 

With these identities in place, and sharpening by the year in Trump’s America, partisanship intensifies. Disdain for the other party is a fundamental and deeply ingrained aspect of the two-party system culture and one is either a member of the Democratic party or the Republican party, there isn’t an in-between. There technically is, but independent party candidates receive a minute percentage of votes and are never thought to exist on the same tier as Democrats and Republicans. Those who vote for independents are scrutinized for essentially wasting their vote because, with the two-party system, anyone who runs outside it is not going to succeed as a politician. 

However, the two-party system also places those who abide by it at a disadvantage, especially Democrats. As the parties move further and further away from each other, right-wing politicians move even more right (read: adopt more racist, xenophobic, and homophobic policies) because the system encourages and rewards Republican extremism. And to compensate, the Democratic tent expands to one that encompasses essentially everything that is remotely left-wing. The Democratic party will accept anyone and anything, but successful Democrats are nearly always moderates because Republicans shift American ideas of what is considered ‘too radically left’. So while leftists and liberals like Bernie Sanders technically operate as Democrats, the Democratic party does not make room for actual leftwards progression, in fact, it stifles it. All the while, Republican politicians play a game of ‘Who can be the most racist?,’ the winner takes office, and the party demands that its members fall perfectly in line with its increasingly right-wing agenda, which explains Trump and his cult-like following. Consequently, the rigidity of the two-party system does not make room for moderate Republicans and leftists, both of which are absolutely crucial in a diverse and balanced political scene.

Because of the combination of winner-take-all elections and the very limited selection of only two major candidates, voters vote for parties, not individuals. Presidential candidates are purely figureheads that are believed to be capable of defeating the opponent, as exemplified by Joe Biden’s candidacy, one that is often accompanied by a “settle for Biden” or an “I really don’t want to vote for him but I still have to vote blue.” The Democratic party’s moderate agenda was reluctant to back candidates like Bernie Sanders, whose values and following are undoubtedly more progressive and revolutionary than Biden’s.

A vote for Biden is essentially a vote for a blue presidential administration, but one that does not promote progress, just stagnant compromises. Far too many Democratic policies are created solely to counter Republicans’, so without a party that dedicates itself to true leftist ideals, America cannot expect any sort of significant change. 

Considering the major ideological split within the Democratic party, the need for two ‘left-wing’ parties is glaring. The extent of Democratic unity only goes as far as their shared hate for Donald Trump. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez even described the split as “less a fracture and more like two different limbs.” And she’s right. AOC and Sanders are the leading mascots and frontmen for the left “limb,” reaching towards far-left, socialism-esque progression, though their efforts are largely hampered by the more moderate, Pelosi-Biden side of the Democratic Party. Nancy Pelosi visibly struggles to conduct a cacophony of conflicting Democrats and their policies, as the party will welcome, but not necessarily support everyone. A split in the Democratic party would grant leftists the ability to function in politics without being forced to drastically compromise on their values, while also making the moderate Democrats appear even less polarizing, thus more appealing to potential Republican voters.

Among the plethora of problems that the U.S. faces, the two-party system may be one of the most detrimental, splitting the country into two large, competing factions with no middle ground and creating a dynamic that demands extensive compromise and suppression. Hyperpartisanship is an inevitable byproduct of a two-party system, but its divisive nature makes it the largest threat to modern America’s democracy and it must be addressed.