I thought about this in response to a comment someone made and postured a position in which the RNC and DNC are really just two monopoly companies at this point (link). I know there’s protection for political parties, but is that what these really are now with how they’re structured (kinda like they’re ticketmaster/livenation for politicians at this point)? I couldn’t find an easy answer and trying to dive deeper keeps pulling up irrelevant articles.
Many countries have first-past-the-post elections, and there usually we don’t see the mortal lock of three two major party like we see in the U.S. in the UK for example we have regional parties (SNP, DUP, etc) and lib Dems/greens that win seats and send people to Westminster.
The main problem as far as I can see is that campaigning in the US is very expensive, and third parties have problems raising the cash needed to make a dent in elections for Congress, let alone statewide office.
To frame it in economic terms, it’s a market with a high barrier to entry that has evolved a duopoly. In that aspect it’s not too dissimilar to cable companies etc.
kitnaht@lemmy.world 2 months ago
The term would be a Duopoly.
Cataphract@lemmy.ml 2 months ago
Looking at an entire political spectrum and there being only a Duopoly is heart breaking. But I meant more like each one is a true “business monopoly” for it’s own perspective market/party. Controlling exposure, funding, data, candidate selection, being generally a lobbying middleman group, at what point does this become less a “political ideological group” and more a business organization that focuses heavily on political candidates? (like a sign manufacturer is technically making political content, but they’re still just a business, they’re both providing a service or product to individuals).
This is not so much a focus on political parties or ideologies, but more the NC (national committee) portion of it. I understand state political parties. But when expanded to the national committee’s of those parties, how are those organizations not considered a monopoly for their parties centralizing and controlling the state level and have completely overtaken national decisions which can effect the state level as well.
HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club 2 months ago
And they are heavily regulated.