Essay On Why Has American Political History Been Dominated By The Two-Party System

Why has American political history been dominated by the two-party system? When and how have third (or fourth) parties challenged this status quo?

The elections of 1796 changed the course of American politics forever. The 1796 elections were the first elections where the presidential candidates represented opposing organized political parties for a place in office. Political parties are alliances, “of like-minded people who work together to win elections and control of the government [...] for the ability to put their philosophies and policies into effect” (“Political Parties”). The 1796 elections introduced America to the two-party system, “in which two major political parties dominate voting in nearly all elections at every level of government

The 1992 Reform party presidential candidate Ross Perot made the budget deficit an important issue of that years elections (“Political Parties”) and earned 18.9% of the popular vote (What is the history of "third parties" in the United States?). Perot forced the two-party system candidates to make the budget deficit a major part of their campaign, reinforcing the powerful influence a third party could have. Third parties continually, “Introduce new ideas [...] and propose many government policies and practices” that major parties take into account. The 1912 elections have been the most successful elections for third parties with presidential candidate Theodore Roosevelt for the Progressive Party. The elections took place during the Progressive era – a period of social activism and political reform in the United States that flourished from the 1890s to the 1920s (“Progressive Era”) – which aided in the popularity of the Progressive Party that campaigned reform ideas. Although the Progressive party didn’t win the elections, the party gained 27.5% of the popular votes, the most in third party history (What is the history of "third parties" in the United States?). Third parties form on the basis of reform principles and have flourished more during eras of movements such as the Civil Right Movements. It is when third parties challenge major parties with social justice issues that third parties gain attention and major parties are challenged with the issues and ideologies in debates and