Third Party Advantages

Americans strive to fight for what is right. Americans who vote will vote for the candidate who shares the same political views as the voter. It is fascinating how unconsciously Americans, as voters, oftentimes forget to take the time to contemplate why the candidate that shares the same views as us is right. Political parties have led us as a nation through dark times, such as the Great Depression, they serve as a vital lifeline for our government. Without any political parties there would be not representation, voting would become exceedingly complicated than it should be, our government would change entirely.

Third party candidates lack political influence in the U.S. due to the overwhelming two major party success rates. Their success can be largely attributed to the many electoral institutional rules that contribute to limiting the rise of third parties, their competition. This historically proven major party dominance is due to many factors including institutional arrangements, election laws, electoral college rules, and campaign finance laws that have shaped the course of American elections; however, there are instances in which third parties can overcome electoral institutional challenges and make noticeable progress. The institutional arrangements in the United States have made major two-party success almost inevitable; however, there is

Out of the 241 million Americans eligible to vote in the 2012 election, a mere 67% actually participated (Rose). By providing political labels, they create unity in values and makes politicians accountable for their legislations. Assuming that Republicans remain a conservative party and the Democrats remain a liberal party, Americans are more likely to support an individual party. Individualists have the opportunity to run as president, but have difficulty doing so because it is difficult to gain support. Political parties are not prescribed by the Constitution but are critical to success of America.

Party government, also known as responsible parties, is an idea supported by people who believe that strong government could be efficient to deal with economic and social problems at national levels. This “party government” is significantly different from the traditional American limited government, including a clear statement about principles, accountable candidates, differentiated campaigns, and responsible officeholders for party programs. For the United States to create responsible party government, there are three major prerequisites. Strong presidents such as Reagan and Bush can make the public recognize the gap between parties and have control over the Congress on bills and policies. However, such powerful presidents would bring a “presidential government” instead of responsible parties.

This of course is predicated on the belief that the public’s opinion will influence the actions of their representatives in Congress since representatives want to be reelected. In modern use, particularly with television and looser campaign finance regulations, Presidents now are more sending a message to party leadership or interest groups, letting them either take up the issue in Congress or mobilize the people. Of the powers a President has, the power of influence; especially in modern, media-driven society, is paramount. Although another aspect of Presidential power is the idea of executive privilege, or being able to keep all conversations the President has private. This is perhaps one of the more controversial powers given to the President because it begs the question of how a President can be held responsible if the people don’t know what they are doing?

So, the branches check one another and the people elect the members other than in the judicial branch, whose members are chosen by the executive branch. Madison brings up that it isn’t possible to divide power absolutely equally and “In republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates.” (2). And so, the legislative branch will be divided even more to try and combat the unbalance of power. Madison thought this system was a good method because he believed that it was part of human nature to have conflicting ideas and wants, and so each branch could keep the others in line and therefor no one power is above the others. Furthermore, Madison believes a bigger government with multiple branches is better because then it becomes difficult for one

The electoral college system is something that holds many responsibilities, and it should not be removed. This system is important because electors are elected people (elected by the people living in that state) that have immense knowledge about the government and make sure that a good president takes the seat. Slavery may have been a problem to the colonists when the system was first established, but now it shows everyone the accomplishments of America. The electoral college allows every state to be included in the election and is the system that holds the nation together. There are many uneducated people in the country that vote and they do not consider who the best president is, but only who everyone else might be voting for.

The system may seem confusing or unnecessary, but its importance is revealed by the care taken by the Founding Fathers in designing the Electoral College, which was described in more detail and at greater length than any other issue addressed in the Constitution (Guelzo and Hulme). Despite this, many still call for a shift to a popular vote system for the presidential election; however, such a change would be a mistake. The Electoral College should not be abolished and replaced by a popular vote because it is necessary to uphold the structure of the United States government, to protect the interests of the whole nation, and to preserve the integrity of the presidential election. Opponents of the Electoral College frequently argue that the Electoral College is outdated to the point of becoming obsolete, that it contradicts America’s identity as a democracy, and that it gives too much power to states with a small population. Critics of the Electoral College condemn it as a relic of a bygone era.

George Washington was indispensable in launching the U.S government. Although many opposed his political views at the time, Washington's leadership capabilities were unquestionable after his victory in the American Revolution. Our victory over Great Britain would have been doubtful if not for Washington and his judgement. Before becoming president, Washington led in drafting the Constitution, which is the foundation of America. When he became president, Washington believed in unity and a strong central power.

The Bureaucracy is often the battleground for the three branches of government as well as for outside interests. As Wilson argued, clientelism, which is when political parties use public resources, and particularly government offices, as a means of rewarding political supporters, is self-perpetuating. Interest groups ignore the criticisms of other groups with a broader but weaker interest in the policy, because the policy is of great important to the interest group. These interest groups often have mutually dependent and advantageous relationships between bureaucratic agencies and congressional committees and subcommittees. The bureaucracy constantly seeks to expand its size, budgets, and

It is so important that we maintain this system because without it, only highly populated states and counties would get to decide everything for our entire nation. The Electoral College is the most fair way we have, and it ensures that every citizen is allowed a voice in electing the president. Since the president is a major player in making national policy, it is just as important that they care about national interests as they are about local interests. The Electoral College is designed to make that possible. We cannot let states like California, New York, Florida, and Texas decide the fate of our entire country simply because of their high population.

According to Posner, “The Electoral College restores some of the weight in the political balance that large states lose by virtue of the mal-apportionment of the Senate decreed in the Constitution” (Posner). Although the electoral college does prevent some states from having too much power, it also gives immense power to other states, such as Texas, Florida, and California. Another concern for people that support the electoral college is that it helps control swing states from having too much pull. Despite some states having a stronger pull in the voting system, switching to a popular voting system would negate the swing state concept and help each individual citizen proclaim in own political believes, despite the state he/she lives in. William discusses the 2008 election and states, “It 's time for a national popular vote.

Although the popular votes do not determine the elector votes, it almost always happens where the electors vote for whom the popular votes resulted  in. This is one of the many reasons why the Electoral College is unfair, past elections have shown that bigger populations have more electoral votes, concluding that smaller states’ votes become insignificant. This leaves people in question, is the Electoral College now based on where you live? Even though the purpose of the electoral college is to ultimately decide who will occupy the position of the president, there was an Electoral Commision of elite representatives, established to determine the 19th President, because of the situation the electoral college caused. The commission included five representatives from the House, another five associates from the  Senate and five justices from the Supreme Court.

One advantage is that it eliminates victory based on solely on populations. This gives power to states no matter what size rather than the population of the state. If the Electoral College was not in place this will lead to campaign solely on the big states rather than all. The Electoral College will continue to create and maintain a two party system. It allows for some continuity and stability for the current government.

Also, the electoral college forces the candidates to focus on several topics and regions. In December 16, 2016 the article The Electoral College is an Excellent System by George F Will, he explains that “the electoral college shapes the character of majorities by helping generate those that are neither geographically nor ideologically narrow…” (doc B). The competitors will not be able to become the president if the limit themselves to one topic and area. They must support several topics and try to appeal to all the states they can if they want to be the president through the system of electoral college. This is important because the president will try to fit everyone 's needs and not just a certain group of people’s needs and wants.