Research Question: Does the two-party system we have promote and uphold democracy

I.Introduction
A. The United States has been dominated by the Democratic Party and Republican Party for over
a century and a half.
B. The two parties have virtually unchallenged since the early 1900s
C. The system is called the two-party system
II. Claim 1-The two party system divides the country, and promotes fighting between the two.
a. Evidence- Democrats and Republican blame each other for many problems,
b. My thoughts- In a system containing only major two parties its easy to blame the only other
opposing party. This is especially true in Congress where we have been experiencing so much
congressional gridlock over the last decade.
c. Evidence- Recent research suggests that the dispersion of ideologies in the U.S. Senate has
widened over the past several decades. Republican Senators have moved further to the right,
while Democratic Senators have moved further to the left. Ironically, over the same period, most
Americans remain relatively moderate or close to the ideological center. (Douglas 7)
d. My thoughts- The parties tend to take opposition to each other to far, distancing themselves
from each other and leaving no room for the moderates/centralist.
e. Conclusion- The two party system promotes partisanship and antagonistic rhetoric, it serves to
divide the country on two political spectrums.
III.Claim 2-The two party system promotes conformity, rather than independent thinking.
a. Evidence- Today we have become accustomed to seeing straight party-line votes on everything
from tax issues and spending issues to judicial and executive branch appointments(Edwards 4)
b. My thoughts- Party affiliations are so eminent in our elections that people usually just support
what their own party advocates. The democrats and republicans use
c. Evidence- Major party identification had far less to do with platforms or ideas than
demographics(Lause A Republic Without Representation)
d. My thoughts- If the two major party in the country only represent certain demographics, such as
race, gender, and urban or rural, then these parties fail to represent the entirety of the country.
e. Conclusion- The political parties assimilate support by appealing to demographics and enforcing
political influence among their constituents.
VI.Claim 3-The two party system leaves out third party interest.
a. Evidence-The last time a party other than the Democratic Party or the Republican Party has
won the presidency was in 1848, it was the Whig Party.
b. My thoughts- There have been several examples in history where third parties
c. Evidence-Third Parties are hardly ever represented in government.
d. My thoughts- In reality,when it comes to elections it always comes down to two candidates
either a Democrat or a Republican
e. Conclusion- The two parties have established almost absolute control in politics, the media and
public seem to only focus on these parties
V.Conclusion
a. The two-party system especially in modern times is unfair, ineffective, and undemocratic.
b. Political battles have become nothing more than conflict between two major political machines
c. Affiliation with the two major political parties have become to strong leaving no room for people
to focus on other agendas.
d. Third Parties interest are largely ignored and have little influence in politics.

e. The system we have clearly has many flaws but many of them have to do with the parties failing
to represent the people. Rather enforcing a point of view parties need to embrace the ideas of
the people.

Literature Review

Time for a Third Party?

By Frederick Allen

Summary: This article describes the frustration of the people with our political parties. The article
explores the idea of having another major party in our political system. However he ultimately
concludes that the Two-party system is not effective, but it works.
AnalysisThis article offered some criticism of the two-party system while maintaining that the system was
reasonable. The fact that this article said that the system was okay made it stand out against
most of the other article.

The Tyranny of the Two-party system

By Lisa Jane Disch
Summary: In this book Disch describes the struggles of third parties to make an impact on
politics. She attest that the two major political parties have virtually monopolized political power.
Disch mainly focused on the detrimental effects the two-party system on third parties interest.
She asserted that the system has failed to implement more inclusive elections.
Analysis- This book was valuable because it offered a more specific and focused view on the
issue

Beyond Partisanship
By Jim Douglas
Summary: This article describes how the Democrats and Republican have become increasingly
entrenched in their own ideologies and refuse to work together. Douglas compares how
partisanship was like in the past decades to how partisanship is now. Douglas offers his own
experience as a former Vermont governor.
Analysis- This article was valuable because the author spoke from much of his own experience.
He also made the distinction between now and then giving me more insight to how things have
changed.

A Republic without Representation

By Mark Lause
Summary: In this article Lause explores the period after the civil war when the Republican and
Democratic parties were just shaping up. It describes a period when the Republicans dominated
the country, and how the Democrats struggled to regain power.

AnalysisThis article was important because it gave me a more historical view on the topic. The article
allowed me to connect the present with the past giving me more insight into what has changed
and what has stayed the same. It also help me understand the origins of this system

The Parties versus the People: How to turn Democrats and Republicans into Americans
By Mickey Edwards
Summary: The book details how the dysfunctional nature of the two-party system. Edward then
proposes several solutions to this problem. Most of his solution involve opening up elections
and giving Americans more choices. Edwards provides a good argument using his own
experience as a Congressman.
Analysis- This book is more focused on solving the problems which does help in understanding
why we have these problems. The book also provided the most and clearest points to why the
parties seemed undemocratic. Also many examples were provided to make his point.

Works Cited

Allen, Frederick. "Time For A Third Party?." Saturday Evening Post 284.2 (2012): 26-60. MasterFILE Elite. Web. 29
Nov. 2016.
Disch, Lisa Jane. The Tyranny Of The Two-Party System. New York: Columbia University Press, 2002. eBook
Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 29 Nov. 2016.

Douglas, Jim. "Beyond Partisanship." Vital Speeches of the Day Mar.-Apr. 2016: 104-06. Web
Edwards, Mickey. The Parties Versus The People : How To Turn Republicans And Democrats Into Americans. New
Haven: Yale University Press, 2012. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Web. 29 Nov. 2016.
Lause, Mark A. "A Republic Without Representation." Against The Current 174 (2015): 26-30. Academic Search
Complete. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.