Political Parties and the American Duopoly

The two-party system may be all Americans know, but such political duopolies are actually quite rare on the world stage. In this episode, we explore one-, two- and multi-party political systems and the factors that influence the type of party system a given country is likely to develop. We examine the pros and cons of the two-party system, its effect on the broader political system enshrined in the US Constitution, and whether it's worthwhile to vote for third-party candidates. Additionally, we explain and discuss potential alternatives to the two-party system, including parliamentary governments, multi-member districts, and ranked-choice voting.