Political Change in a Stable Two Party State: The United States

  • Alan Arwine
  • Lawrence Mayer
Chapter
Part of the Perspectives in Comparative Politics book series (PCP)

Abstract

America epitomizes the model of a stable two party majoritarian system using a plurality electoral system creating a diminished opportunity structure to facilitate the establishment of minor parties. The party systems of the West have represented the traditional cleavages with families of parties – Christian Democracy, labor or social democratic – in aggregated party systems. These traditional cleavages are being displaced by the politics of identity based on national patriotism or sub-cultural defense. These sub-cultures are challenging the sense of an American community with a resistance to assimilation known as multi-culturalism. This sense of an American community is reinforced through the American creed, a creed that conflicted with America’s treatment of racial minorities.

Key words

plurality and proportional electoral systems opportunity structure big tent or expediential parties labor-based parties Christian Democracy aggregated party system minor parties cross-cutting cleavages multi-culturalism The American Creed President Obama re-election social justice Occupy Wall Street Tea Party 
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Copyright information

© Alan Arwine and Lawrence Mayer 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  • Alan Arwine
    • 1
  • Lawrence Mayer
    • 2
  1. 1.The University of KansasUSA
  2. 2.Texas Tech UniversityUSA

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