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The roles of political parties in the America
The roles of political parties in the America
Development of the two party system
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In the twenty-first century, the United States is predominately a two-party political system. In George Washington’s Farwell Address (1796) he said, “The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism” (para. 22). In this speech, Washington cautioned his fellow Americans about the risks of political parties; he claimed the partisanship would lead to inter-political discord, divide the nation, and give rise to instances of tyranny. Although a two-party system has the potential to not be detrimental to the country, with people following the examples of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson Americans have a tendency to put their personal political associations ahead of what may be best for the country.
George Washington had a vision for the United States of America that seems to be unattainable. In his Farewell Address, he gave a strong warning to the nation: don’t create political parties, and don’t create alliances with other nations. While Washington had good intentions, there was little possibility of his warnings being heeded. Political parties were established before Washington even left office, and permanent alliances with foreign militaries show no signs of disappearing. Washington acknowledged that political parties are a part of human nature in his Farewell Address, and that still holds true today.
Originally a group of unorganized and angry farmers, the group united behind a common force, the Farmer’s Alliance, which eventually developed into the nationally recognized Populist Party. They introduced many new ideas for the late 19th century including a graduated income tax, bimetallism, and the direct election of senators. Although, eventually being berated for their radical ideas, today we are to recognize the Populist idea of direct election of senators as seen with the 17th Amendment in addition to the graduated income tax that we have today. The Populist Party was a party interested in the idea of true democracy for the betterment of the public, although the conditions of the late 19th century did not prove as a place for the party to prosper as they only received 22 electoral votes during the election of 1892. Following the late 19th century, the Populist Party joined forces with the Democratic Party who incorporated many of their ideas which allowed for their legacy to live on in American politics.
The election of 1796, John Adams versus Thomas Jefferson. The former won by only 3 single electoral college votes. In a highly competitive, controversial race filled with fake smiles and harsh glares, those votes made all the difference in the world to these two men and their running mates. Because George Washington refused a second term, political parties took root when election time came around. No one knew that this election in the early stages of Americas development would define the future of the United States of America.
The Second Party System was composed of the Democratic Party which was led by Jackson and the Whig Party which was led by Clay. The Kansas-Nebraska Act would allow residents of the Kansas and Nebraska territory to vote for slavery over popular sovereignty. This act would make debates over slavery grow; with this the Northern Whigs and Northern Democrats (both anti-slavery) would split off into new political parties. The American Party and the Republican Party would
Although the United States has a two-party-dominant system, the country has always had more than two parties. Third parties have influenced elections. Parts of their programs were adopted by one or both of the major
Third parties usually effect our political ideas by first taking votes away from the closest affiliated party and then being dissolved into said party. The most votes a third party has ever received was in the presidential election of 1912, in which The Progressive party gained twenty-seven percent of the vote (CQG). Theodore Roosevelt had become bitter at the over their over conservative nature, so he announced he would accept a nomination from an honestly elected third party and the Progressive party obliged. For a major political figure to switch to a third party is somewhat unheard of especially in politics today and it would be viewed as career suicide (Garraty, John A), yet Roosevelt received more votes than the Republican in the election who only received twenty-three percent of the vote (CQG). After this election, Republicans started to experience a shift toward the Progressive party’s ideas, calling themselves “Bull Moose Republicans.”
The first party system in the united states was between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans and this helped shape the political contest. The Federalist Party, created largely by Alexander Hamilton, rivaled by Jeffersonian Democratic-Republican Party which was formed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison and is usually called at the "Republican Party.” Van Buren helped form the new Democratic Party from a coalition of Jeffersonian Republicans who backed the military hero and president Andrew Jackson. In Martin Van Buren letter to Thomas Ritchie he states, “It would greatly improve the condition of the republican party of the north and middle states by substituting party principle for personal presence as one of the leading points.”
From the moment the United States constitution was formed political parties have fought each other for power and control, battling over their own beliefs and ideals. It brings to question, can those beliefs and ideals still been seen in the biggest political parties of today, some two hundred years ago? Although there is no outright connection between the early parties and those of today, the belief system of both the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, or Democratic-Republicans, can be seen bleeding into each other through the Democratic and Republican parties of today. Such ideals and beliefs include the United States Bank, power of the federal government, foreign relations, and even the formation of alliances. On top of that it is important
There are (more than two, but not a lot of) disadvantages of a two-party system including the strict and organized party values politicians must follow, the inability to agree (after everyone gives something up), this way the inability to make effective change and the extreme (dividing of people into two groups with very different opinions) of parties. The two-party system also keeps independents and moderates from being able to act on any worthwhile ideas they share that do not fall squarely within one
Whether that be bank reform, budget cuts, healthcare, welfare, or drug illegality, you can often find glaring differences between those in the major parties than those who choose to affiliate themselves
With the next presidential election looming over us all, many have asked if the American people have any other options for candidates. This question is rightly asked considering the two major parties, Democratic and Republican, have grown increasingly polarized since the 1960s. Since then, a third of the American population has refused to identify with either party, labeling themselves an Independent. Many people have misconceptions about third parties as being the moderate party of the Democratic and Republican parties. Rather, third parties merely design their agendas around what the other parties are not willing to talk about, or offer a radically different stance on an issue the other parties have discussed.
The tea party movement has heavily shaped the policy outcomes and election outcome over the past 6 or seven years when it was started in 2009 following president Obamas election. I am interested in unearthing the reason this movement has happened and further how they can negatively impact the Republican Party. Although the movement may be beneficial in some areas I believe that it has collectively splintered the Republican Party regressing any party progress and derailing its common interests. The tea party movement which is made up of many small conservative groups that have the most emphasis on fiscal issues aside of other major issues that conservative groups rally around.
Finally, it will be argued that the modern political party system in the United States is a two-party system dominated by the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. These two parties have won every United States presidential election since 1852 and have controlled the United States Congress since 1856. The Democratic Party generally positions itself as centre-left in American politics and supports a modern American liberal platform, while the Republican Party generally positions itself as centre-right and supports a modern American conservative platform. (Nichols, 1967)
Political parties serve countless roles in America’s government. Foremost, it needs to be said they are crucial to America’s political system. The political parties are the heart and brain of our government's body, urging people to conceive and feel different ways on different topics whether the controversy is over how money is distributed or the way immigrants should be treated or dealt with. With each party having a biased view it shows how a group can be increasingly powerful with bountiful amounts of support, names and divisions can be heard. Democrats are widely known to be liberal rather than conservative.
