> Two party systems end up governing from their extreme positions while trying to pull 1% over.
Why must it be so? If one party was non-extreme, would it not be better at pulling the 1% over? (In fact, there are a lot more than 1% who don't bother to vote because neither party speaks to them.)
It seems to me that the thing that pushes parties in the US to the extremes is the primary system.
> Why must it be so? If one party was non-extreme, would it not be better at pulling the 1% over? (In fact, there are a lot more than 1% who don't bother to vote because neither party speaks to them.)
Primary elections are the problem. The moderates who would win bigly in the real election are rapidly washed out during the primary season.
The problem is not in getting the 1% at the end but it si the primary system.
But that is true in all two party states.
The people who take part and organise the party will not be in the centre undecideds they will be those who are off centre. To become the leader you need to get the votes from the party workers, these will tend away from the centre so you get more extreme leaders.
With the two party system the coalitions are made behind closed doors in the party.
Why must it be so? If one party was non-extreme, would it not be better at pulling the 1% over? (In fact, there are a lot more than 1% who don't bother to vote because neither party speaks to them.)
It seems to me that the thing that pushes parties in the US to the extremes is the primary system.