Two party model

There are actually far more than 2 parties in the US (I belive that it's about 14),

Originally posted by Spartakus There are actually far more than 2 parties in the US (I belive that it's about 14)

"American Nazi Party", "Communist Party USA"...

I don't think that the two party system is undemocratic at all and it certainly does not encourage undemocratic practices! Americans, unlike many other nations around the world, are emphatically involved in politics. They might not all vote, but they sure as hell voice their opinion. Senate Committee hearings are routinely broadcast and the evening news are full of whats going on. Elections are fiercely battled out (athough its more a battle of the PR firms).

Its true that there is no place for left wing politics in the US. Finally a country that had not yet succumbed to that influence. Americans love stories of political intrigue (ie Watergate, Levinski Affair) hence the constant and relentless media coverage of the personal life of all politicians.

Also, a state of the art check and balanve system in place keeps any one party from gaining too much power. If one party makes an unpopular move it will be sure to be picked up by the other. The United States managed to keep a vibrant democracy afloat for over 200 years despite the fact that the doctrine of separation of powers cannot be reconciled with the doctrine of responsible government. As the Levinski Affair, Watergate, Intelligence failure, gay governor of NJ affair, etc showed, the system works!

Hence due to popular involvement, the important role the media plays in politics and due to vigorous checks and balances, no third parties are really needed in US federal politics.