Electoral College and our Two Parties

It was interesting to read that our electoral college directly contributes to the increasingly disappointing Two-Party system that we see in the States. The more I think about it the more it makes sense. Our electoral college is based on requiring a majority rule with over a certain amount of electoral votes, so having more than three major parties would offset that. This totally eliminates any probable chance of winning the executive. Also since elections tend to be dominated by the national elections in visibility and therefore smaller candidates ride the coat tails of national candidates. Also winner takes all rules increasingly disenfranchises minor third parties.

Its also interesting to know that many other former British Colonies are increasingly the same way. However, these countries are more commonly referred to as Two-Party plus systems. Minor parties still play a role, and definitely a more important role then they do in the United States. This all can be contributed to the electoral college making third parties less common. Every other former colony has adopted the parliamentary system in some way, shape, or form. When Nader came to our campus during the Spring, he made a good point about the system and how it affects independents and third parties.