Multi Party Systems are More Beneficial

Tanner Lemke

“Herein lies the central tension of the two–party doctrine. It identifies popular sovereignty  with choice, and then limits choice to one party or the other. This is the tyranny of the two–party system, the construct that persuades United States citizens to accept two–party contests as a condition of electoral democracy” - Lisa Disch

Benefits of Multi-Party Systems• More parties• Coalition of political parties• More viewpoints will be discussed.• Proper reflection of public’s interests

Coalitions • “An alliance for combined action” • Ends partisanship

Free Market of Ideas• Introduction of new ideas• Reform

Reflection of Public’s Interests

32% Democratic, 28% Republican, and 37% independent.

Reflection of Public’s Interest

• VERMONT HOUSE ELECTION 1996 VERMONT HOUSE ELECTION 2004• Bernie Sanders (I) 140,678 (55.2%) Bernie Sanders, (I)

205,774 (67.5%)• Susan Sweetser, (R) 83,021 (32.5%) Greg Parke (R) 42,271 (24.4%)• Jack Long, (D) 23,830 (9.3%) Larry Drown, (D) 21,684 (7.1%)

REBUTTAL

Dangerous problems with the Two Party System

• Limits the number and diversity of candidates that can run Voter turnout

• Comparing black and white (red and blue) to politics.**

"You can Have Any Color as Long as It's Black"

Limits the Number of Candidates • [Mock Election ]• “Lesser of two evils”• Or.. Not voting at all• Both lead to improper representation*

“The Red and Blue” Politics

Benefits of Multi-Party Systems• Coalition of political parties • More viewpoints will be discussed.• Proper reflection of public’s goals