Former lawmakers say American election system is in a 'death spiral'

When political scientists from the United States examine other democratic republics, one of the things they are struck by is the lack of a two-party system in Italy, the Netherlands or Spain. The Italian parliament, for example, isn't known for being dominated by two parties, but rather, for MPs coming from an array of parties. And coalition government comes into play when members of different parties have to join forces to get anything done.

Members of third parties hold office in the U.S., but on a limited scale. A member of the Libertarian Party might win a city council race in a red state, or a Green Party member might win a local race in a blue state. Philadelphia City Councilwoman Kendra Brooks is a member of the progressive Working Families Party and works closely with Democrats in the deep-blue city.

In an article published by the Richmond Times-Dispatch on February 22, reporter Sean Jones examines U.S. politicians who believe the United States' two-party system is failing.

"Americans consistently give Congress low marks, with recent polls showing approval ratings in the high 20 percent range," Jones explains. "Yet congressional incumbents typically win reelection more than 90 percent of the time. That disconnect framed a discussion Saturday night at the Richmond Forum, where former U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang and former Michigan Congressman Justin Amash argued the paradox reflects deeper structural flaws within America's two-party system. The three, each of whom has broken from their party at various points, said the problem goes beyond partisan disagreement. Instead, they argued the system concentrates power among a small group of party leaders and rewards ideological loyalty over broad representation."

During the panel, Amash — a Donald Trump critic who is presently a Republican but belonged to the Libertarian Party in the past — told attendees, "People don't like just being independent. They want to be part of something. If they do not form some kind of coalition, I think it is really not going to get off the ground."

Amash believes the U.S. is in a "partisan death spiral," adding, "And as a result, you have two parties that are just perpetuating their own power."

Yang blames the two-party system for Trump's ability to bully GOP lawmakers into voting "yes" on nominees they consider unqualified.

The 2020 presidential candidate told attendees, "You saw some of the more reasonable moderate Republicans being like, 'Oh my gosh, am I going to sign off on this guy?' Then, Trump called them, saying, 'You better get on board with this appointment, or we are going to primary you.'"