As the demographic mosaic of the US has evolved, the rigid duopoly of the two-party system increasingly undermines the very democratic ideals it was designed to uphold
read more
A polarised US is set for polls—the two-party system, dominated by Democrats and Republicans, that once stood as a paragon of political stability. It facilitated the orderly transfer of power and ensured that governance could continue unimpeded by the tumultuousness of multiparty coalitions.
However, what once served a largely homogenous electorate—predominantly land-owning and slave master white males—is ossified. It is inadequate for the complexities of modern America.
As the demographic mosaic of the US has evolved, the rigid duopoly of the two-party system increasingly undermines the very democratic ideals it was designed to uphold. The voices of vast swathes of the population, particularly the lower middle class, Hispanics, Indian Americans, and Afro-Americans, are marginalised, rendering their participation in the political process an exercise in futility. The result is power bestowed without representation.
The Constriction of Choice
The binary nature of American politics forces a heterogenous population to conform to broad, and often conflicting, policy platforms, diluting the specificity of their needs and aspirations. This is particularly pernicious for groups such as the lower middle class, whose economic precariousness and lack of political influence are seldom addressed in a system that prioritises donor-driven agendas. The disillusionment of these voters is palpable, as their interests are subsumed under the larger, more financially endowed constituencies that dominate the platforms of both parties.
The Marginalisation of Minorities
Nowhere is this systemic failure more evident than in the political disenfranchisement of racial and ethnic minorities. Barack Obama and Kamala Harris are not symbols; they are caricatures.
There is a structural flaw in the system—a flaw that discourages the emergence of new political entities that could better empower these communities. The Democrats, long considered the default choice for minority voters, have failed to address their specific needs.
The inability of the system to adequately represent the multiplicity of voices in modern America not only undermines the principle of equal representation but also erodes the legitimacy of the democratic process itself.
A Path Forward?
Reforming the American political system to better represent its diverse populace is no small task. It would require not only the introduction of mechanisms that encourage the formation of new political parties but also a rethinking of the very nature of political representation in the United States. Public financing of campaigns is a potential avenue for creating a more inclusive and responsive political system.
The failure to adequately represent the marginalised leads to democracy perpetuating inequality. For the US to truly live up to its great democratic ideals, it must confront the limitations of its current political structure and embrace reforms.
The entrenched power of the existing political duopoly will require a change in the American constitution. That is a Gordian knot, and the US, alas, has got no Alexander to cut it.
The writer is a senior journalist with expertise in defence. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.
Source link : http://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=66cc7bddbd3548369e0bc1218df64f35&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.firstpost.com%2Fopinion%2Fhow-the-us-bipartisan-democracy-fails-to-represent-plural-voices-of-present-day-america-13808400.html&c=11373368466428319518&mkt=en-us
Author :
Publish date : 2024-08-26 01:02:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
