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Ideologically, maybe. But our first-past-the-post districted electoral system naturally reinforces a two-party status quo. That changes only temporarily, during
by twobyfour 9y ago
Ideologically, maybe. But our first-past-the-post districted electoral system naturally reinforces a two-party status quo. That changes only temporarily, during major realignments, when one or both of the two dominant parties split and then re-merge.
- nostrademons 9y agoI think this is an indication that a major realignment is in progress.
- twobyfour 9y agoI'm not convinced of that. Both parties have comprised coalitions of groups with different principles and priorities for at least the past several decades, and probably since before we gained independence. Realignments happen when those priorities shift.
- nostrademons 9y agoSure, but the evidence I see is that priorities are shifting. Midwestern unions and Appalachian coal miners voted Republican this election for the first time since the New Deal. Wall Street broke solidly Democratic. Mormons went Independent. These are all very atypical voting patterns under the previous party system, and indicate a substantial realignment in the major parties.