Edmund burke, an eighteenth century British politician and political philosopher, defined a political party as "a body of men united for promoting by their joint endeavors the national interest, upon some particular principle in which they are all agreed" (Kernell and Jacobson, 429). Although there was no direct mention of political parties in the constitution, the institutional structures and procedures established by the constitution made them extremely practical and, thus, foolish to ignore. "By the early 1800s, the United States became the first nation to institute nationally organized parties, and was also the first to transport executive power from one faction to another by means of an election" (www.allsands.com, 1). Consequently, political parties have become a permanent feature of American politics. The American party system is unusual because it is a two party system. This means that the American public is divided into only two major political groups. "The two party system has been one of the linchpins of the stability that characterizes the American political tradition" (Flavius, 1). Today, in the United States, the two major parties at the national level are the Democratic and the Republican Parties. In this paper, I will discuss the origin of the American two party system and also, the reasons for its continuance. I will give mention to both the advantages and the disadvantages of a two party system in the United States. .
Since the administration of George Washington, two parties have dominated the United States political system and it is that dominance that has sparked a series of positive and of negative outcomes. Alexander Hamilton, secretary of Treasury in George Washington's administration, promoted a set of ideas that was designed to "foster economic growth and to give propertied interests - financiers, wealthy merchants, and manufacturers - a stake in the new republic" (Kernell and Jacobson, 436).
Unitary and federal systems. ... The political parties in countries with a unitary system concentrate on gaining control of and organizing the central government. ... The political parties in countries with a federal system try to gain power to organize both the central government and the state or provincial governments. ... The presidential system. ... The parliamentary system. ...
Over the years, America's two-party system has changed due to changes in electoral behavior and party dominance. Changes in America's two-party system can be broken up into five distinct systems. ... Parties again realigned, and the Northern Republicans took control of American politics. ... Successful with his policies, Roosevelt was able to thrust the Democratic Party into the controlling role in American's two-party system. ... Due to great conflict about certain issues faced by the nation or economic standing the American two-party system is constantly changing with p...
Political Party Reforms for A Stronger Democracy Political Science fraternity all over the world has been discussing innumerable aspects of party systems and related issues for the last several years. ... In the 1998 edition the volume "Political Parties of the World" the editors have come out with a largely acceptable definition of a political party. ... This hole in the representative system raises direct questions about the nature of American democracy. ... But they have been responsive and adaptive and that explains the longevity of the party system". ... Across the world, ...
Although there are more than two political parties, the Democratic and Republican Parties, have dominated the political system for hundreds of years. ... In the United States, the labels of the two major political parties have always had a relatively strong appeal for the voters. ... Since the administration of George Washington two political parties have dominated the United States political system, but they have not always been the same two parties. The first two parties were the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. ... But political parties have weakened by having to work through a system o...
Technically in the UK we have a multiparty system, however two parties dominate the political establishment: the Conservative Party and the Labour Party. ... A two-party system is a system where two major political parties dominate politics within a government. ... Whereas a multiparty system is a system in which multiple political parties have the capacity to gain control of government offices, separately or in coalition. The UK has factors of both a multiparty system and a two party system. ... In conclusion, the UK is in between a two party system and a multiparty system. ...
The political systems of Russia, Germany and Nigeria are all unique in their own way. From their political ideologies to their political parties, each country shapes their system to govern and successfully run their nation. ... Russia is a political system that does not resemble other European systems. ... The political party that has been the strongest throughout its history is the Communist party, but in recent years its power has diminished. ... Political parties serve many important services in the Nigerian political system. ...
The Two Parties By Patru George-Alin Since the 1679-1680 succession to the throne controversy the British political scene hs been dominated by a constant number of major political parties: two. ... Labour Party has been more successful electorally than other electoral parties. ... The consequence of a two parties system in Great Britain are a desiderate for many other political scenes: there is a strong executive, meaning that the Cabinet can rely on its disciplined majority in the Commons. The one party government gives complete control over the law-making process to one party only. ...
Less Developed Nation: A country with a large rate of population growth, coupled with low national income, along with substantial unemployment and dependence on other countries for commodities Mixed Economy: An economy with characteristics of multiple types of other economies, where both public and private enterprises own pieces of each aspect Nationalization: To bring to a national level; to unify a country or to bring under the control of a nation, specifically industries or land Neoliberalism: "New liberalism ", a combination of liberal political views with an interest in economic growth...
In the 1850s the Whig Party submitted to the sectionalizing effects of the slavery issue while also forgoing to operate as a national political party. ... This allows for democracy to disband and eventually end the Second Party System. ... Bleeding Kansas was the treatment of runaway slaves and several other issues involving slavery that stressed and eventually crushed the United States two party system that was in place for a generation to mold sections and ideals into two dominant national institutions. While slavery was a key factor in the tumultuous end of the Second Party System, the Re...