Since the late 1700s, America has been politically controlled by a two-party system. This is due to divided opposition between the Federalists and Democratic-Republican parties. The disagreement began when government control was questioned, leading to a split of political beliefs, therefore creating two dominant bipartisan choices, Democrat and Republican. In the present day, we can still see the effects of this choice in splitting our government into separate parties. The Bagpiper staff believes America is facing a downfall of the two-party system, although this must be addressed with the flaws of the Electoral College.
In the last ten years, political turmoil has been a topic of conversation. No matter the party it has been clear that there are downsides to both. Between each side there has been more extremism within the parties, leaving no room for a bipartisan voter to select a candidate that sufficiently aligns with their views.
This country was founded on the principle that the people get to choose who leads them. How is it that a candidate has lost the popular vote five times and still found themselves in the White House? The Electoral College is the primary reason why decisions like this get made. The argument for the Electoral College is that if it were not there then all the power would be in the hands of urban centers. Between a highly populated city and an underpopulated one, the electoral college has the ability to keep votes evenly distributed between states, which creates a public disturbance when looking at population distribution throughout the country. Many citizens have voiced their opinions on why the Electoral College is not beneficial for our country anymore.
As National Public Radio said, “Maybe it’s not good for democracy when one party doesn’t have to try to win the most votes in a presidential election.”
The Electoral College detracts from giving chances to third-party candidates such as Jill Stein, a leader of the Green party and the most notable third-party candidate in the upcoming election.
Stein has participated in multiple elections throughout her political career. However, she has not won a single electoral college because of her political position being a third-party candidate.
Getting rid of the Electoral College would promote the rise of the aforementioned Green Party, because states wouldn’t have to cast a vote for one party, and rather candidates could focus on campaigning with people who align with their issues.
Third 3rd party candidates have historically been able to find have success, even with the electoral college, such as William Henry Harrison in 1840, and Zachary Taylor in 1848. Both men were in the Whig Party, a dominant third 3rd option from its creation in 1831 to its dissolution in 1856. Third 3rd parties were a viable option more than a century agoback in the day, but the U.S. slowly drifted towards a two-party system, and Millard Fillmore was the last president not affiliated with the Democratic or Republican party in 1850.
With this upcoming election, take into account the other candidates, not just the two that are dominant. The two-party system will become more and more prevalent unless changes to the Electoral College system are made.