LogFAQs > #966314798

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

The issue has nothing to do with Americans' lack of intelligence, its that a democratic system that runs on first-past-the-post (as the US's does) naturally favours two dominant political parties, because a third invariably saps strength from its closest ideological allies and thereby strengthens ideological opponents. Anyone who is old enough to remember the Ralph Nader or Ross Perot campaigns in the US can tell you all about this (the former was a Green Party candidate who likely cost Al Gore the presidency over George W. Bush; the former was the most successful third party candidate in the history of the country, receiving nearly 20% of the vote, and was at least partially responsible for George Bush Sr.'s dismal showing that election).

Accordingly, most third party movements collapse quickly, because its supporters realize they are simply making it easier for those political parties they disagree with most to get elected.