3 ms·

>Except ... it doesn't. I take your point, but "all" in my comment wasn't intended to be taken literally. In fact, your list could've actually been much longer

>Except ... it doesn't. I take your point, but "all" in my comment wasn't intended to be taken literally. In fact, your list could've actually been much longer, but the point is that all of these parties must find a way to express their preferences through one of the two predominant parties—or not at all. >If it appears to "fit" into two political parties, that has more to do with what aspects of American politics appears in whatever media you see, which in turn reflects both the formal powers of those two parties In practice, it actually does fit into two political parties, by definition and for exactly the reason you mentioned: they are the only two parties with the formal power to compel the media to express their will. How did that come about in a nation that supposedly embraces individualism? I didn't intend to say that there are no individualistic beliefs in the U.S. I'm saying the idea that individualism is a dominant or defining characteristic of the U.S. in any practical sense is largely a myth. The overwhelming majority of Americans are happy to fit themselves into one of two political parties. That includes the party that fancies itself one of "rugged individuals", while its members adopt a laundry list of exactly the same beliefs.

PaulDavisThe1st 2y ago
> The overwhelming majority of Americans are happy to fit themselves into one of two political parties. I don't know about overwhelming. Typical voter turnout for US presidential elections over the last few decades has been right around 50% (it ticked up notably in 2020). Many people who do not vote report disillusionment with both major parties as a significant reason for their choice.
- unclebucknasty 2y ago
  >report disillusionment I've heard similar. Of course, it's hard to know whether they'd also report disillusionment with ten (or whatever) political parties. And, really, the idea of political parties is itself not wholly compatible with individualism. But, the broader point is that the current state of affairs seems antithetical to the notion that individualism is a major feature of American society. American "individualism" reminds me of all the people who call themselves "free thinkers", but managed to free think their way to exactly the same set of beliefs.

PaulDavisThe1st 2y ago

> The overwhelming majority of Americans are happy to fit themselves into one of two political parties. I don't know about overwhelming. Typical voter turnout for US presidential elections over the last few decades has been right around 50% (it ticked up notably in 2020). Many people who do not vote report disillusionment with both major parties as a significant reason for their choice.

unclebucknasty 2y ago
>report disillusionment I've heard similar. Of course, it's hard to know whether they'd also report disillusionment with ten (or whatever) political parties. And, really, the idea of political parties is itself not wholly compatible with individualism. But, the broader point is that the current state of affairs seems antithetical to the notion that individualism is a major feature of American society. American "individualism" reminds me of all the people who call themselves "free thinkers", but managed to free think their way to exactly the same set of beliefs.