Where is this "radicalism" you're seeing in Europe? You're also talking about maybe 1 or 2 out of 30 or 40 countries, while the US is just one country.
How about you compare it to countries like Germany or Sweden or Switzerland? Countries that not only have multiple parties and proportional representation systems, but also allow their citizens to create their own laws through referendums.
There is evidence, you just never looked for it. Here is some evidence for the multiple ways in which proportional representation is better than FPTP:
The two-party system is not "stable". Look what's happening with the gridlock in Washington right now. The country is also becoming incredibly partisan and divisive, which is very toxic for democracy. Proportional systems lead to consensus and "bridge building".
And if we take your logical conclusion to the extreme, then a Chinese-like one-party system would be the "best" as it would be the most "stable". People need democracy. Why do you think 43% of Americans are registered as Independents now, and only 29% as Democrats and 23% as Republicans? Because they feel so represented by the two-party system?
That more than anything shows a huge systemical problem in the US in how elections are done. Almost half of the country doesn't feel represented by Democrats and Republicans, but you're saying that's ok because it's "bring stability".
Also, just two recent examples of the extreme corruption in the two parties that only happens because they know people don't have any other choice but support them (Dem base supporting Dems, and Rep base supporting Reps, and Independents being forced by the FPTP to pick one of those two):
Wake up Americans, you have no real choice within the two-party system. They're playing with you and giving you the theater of "democracy" in the primaries while they keep pulling the strings for who they want to win.
There are some interesting cracks opening up in the two party system. Probably the most notable is the open or blanket primary, where the two candidates getting the most votes in the primary run in the general election. I believe these are currently the case for most offices in Washington and California. In both states this was established by referendums.
How about you compare it to countries like Germany or Sweden or Switzerland? Countries that not only have multiple parties and proportional representation systems, but also allow their citizens to create their own laws through referendums.
There is evidence, you just never looked for it. Here is some evidence for the multiple ways in which proportional representation is better than FPTP:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cTk3X85he8
The two-party system is not "stable". Look what's happening with the gridlock in Washington right now. The country is also becoming incredibly partisan and divisive, which is very toxic for democracy. Proportional systems lead to consensus and "bridge building".
http://www.fairvote.org/proportional_representation
And if we take your logical conclusion to the extreme, then a Chinese-like one-party system would be the "best" as it would be the most "stable". People need democracy. Why do you think 43% of Americans are registered as Independents now, and only 29% as Democrats and 23% as Republicans? Because they feel so represented by the two-party system?
That more than anything shows a huge systemical problem in the US in how elections are done. Almost half of the country doesn't feel represented by Democrats and Republicans, but you're saying that's ok because it's "bring stability".
Also, just two recent examples of the extreme corruption in the two parties that only happens because they know people don't have any other choice but support them (Dem base supporting Dems, and Rep base supporting Reps, and Independents being forced by the FPTP to pick one of those two):
http://www.libertynewsnow.com/gop-will-forced-change-ron-pau...
https://www.salon.com/2016/02/13/un_democratic_party_dnc_cha...
Wake up Americans, you have no real choice within the two-party system. They're playing with you and giving you the theater of "democracy" in the primaries while they keep pulling the strings for who they want to win.