A two-party system of governance has prevailed in America for nearly as long as there has been a system of governance. It seems to be the natural order of things, set in stone by God Himself. Who, then, in his right mind, would even think of messing with it? Well, Teddy Roosevelt for one (Bull Moose), and Ross Perot for another (Reform) – but to no avail in either case, or any other case. Three- or four-party systems don’t last very long in America for the simple reason they can’t. The only system that can, arguably, is the same two-party system we’ve had in place essentially since 1878, in which one party, at its core, is pro-government, and the other party, at its core, is anti-government.
Back in 1787, these two parties existed as the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists, the former being pro-government (liberal) at its core, the latter being anti-government (conservative) at its core. Today, it is the Democrats and Republicans, the former being pro-government at its core, the latter being anti-government at its core. As was the case back in 1787, there is no third choice, or fourth choice, in actuality or in possibility.
Or is there? In fact, are we not, in our time, witnessing each of the major parties devolve into two related but distinctly separate parties, with the Republican Party devolving into the Traditional Republican Party and an offshoot we might call the Ultra Conservative Party; the Democratic Party devolving into the Traditional Democratic Party and an offshoot we might call the Ultra Liberal or Progressive Party?
If this is indeed the case, where might it all be leading? Dare we speculate?
I like the differentiation between positions and extreme positions. May I propose a fifth party – a truly centrist party motivated by our noblest hopes and wishes and dedicated to cleaning up corruption. Let’s call it the “Wishy Washy” Party
Love it!
Whose discontent exactly, over what issues, and compelled by what means?
Ultimately the hotbed of discontent will moderate. China and Russia will compel it.