Republicans vs. Democrats vs. Everyone Else
Are you Republican or Democrat? It is not a question that many adults ask each other out loud. However, as a teacher I have been asked this question many times by students. Although, in my case it is normally more of an indictment rather than a question - ‘You’re Republican aren’t you?’
Though it is frowned upon to discuss personal beliefs in the classroom, I have a personal policy of always answering the kids honestly. So I do, and while I certainly lean Republican I often find it hard to say ‘yes I am a proud member of the GOP,’ because the truth is, I am not a card carrying member. I do not subscribe to the belief that all politics and policy live and die with the party. I tend to form my opinions on a range of issues based on many different factors, none of which are ‘what does the party think?’ So where does that leave me as a voter in a nation driven by a two party system?
Often it leaves me choosing between the lesser of two evils.
The two party system is an old debate, but one that garners more attention when party infighting reaches monumental proportions. While this is certainly not unique to the GOP, they are at the forefront today due to the contentious primary election in Mississippi between GOP establishment candidate Senator Thad Cochran and Tea Party candidate Chris McDaniel. As recently as February, the Pew Research Center found that 72% of professed Republicans feel the party is failing when it comes to articulating and advocating its fundamental principles. If the party can’t satisfy its own, how can it reach new voters? Thus leading to the inevitable question: ‘Is it time for a third party in American politics?’
America was not founded on a two party system. Modern politics in this country is something that evolved over time, and as it has evolved voter turnout has declined. Between 1840 and 1900 the US had a 71 percent average in voter turnout, today the average ranges between 40 and 60 percent. According to a Gallup Poll, when questioned on ideology 38% of Americans identify as conservative, 23% as liberal, and 34% as moderate (somewhere in the middle). However, when asked to identify with a political party, these same respondents associated at 19% with Republicans, 43% with Democrat, and 36% as Independent. The Pew Research Center indicates that, of the general public, only 36 percent are anchored to a party and 54 percent identify as being “less partisan” holding varying views that cross party lines and voting unpredictably.
All of this data goes to show that the two party system caters to polar opposites leaving most Americans with choices that do not adequately reflect their true opinions or beliefs. Would it be a stretch to assume that this has at least some effect on voter turnout?
Statistics show that in most OECD (Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development) voter turnout averages 70 percent; most of these countries also have multiparty systems. The European Union alone registers eight major parties. The UK has four major parties, with a total of 8-11 if you include minor party affiliations. Canada is home to 4 major and 4 minor parties, while Australia has 6 parties. A common thread among these nations is coalition governments. Because these countries host multiple parties, once in office the parties must work together in order to govern. Yes there is always a party with the most seats, but in order to accomplish most objectives, a threshold number must be met meaning the various parties must form coalitions (working together) to succeed. In Congress coalitions are rare but party lines are common place. Since January, Congress has passed 14 laws that have been signed by the White House, the majority of which are administrative in nature and have done little to help the still stagnant economy.
Given that the majority of Americans fall somewhere in between Democrat or Republican, that Congress often spends its time in gridlock, and that the two parties have infighting of their own, is it time for America to have a multiparty system? Can we learn something about politics and governing from our multiparty political neighbors?
Sources: Gallup: http://www.gallup.com/poll/166787/liberal-self-identification-edges-new-high-2013.aspx, Pew Research, Beyond Red vs. Blue: http://www.people-press.org/2020/06/26/the-political-typology-beyond-red-vs-blue/, Pew Research, Just 28%: http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/02/24/just-28-of-republicans-believe-gop-advocates-its-principles-well/
Photo courtesy of The Huffington Post.
