The Two Party System, Ballot Access and Third Parties

Описание: Richard Winger, widely regarded as the leading expert in the United States on Ballot Access laws, joins the Knowledge Problem Podcast to discuss the Two-Party System, Third Parties, and Ballot Access laws.

In this episode, we explore the history of the two-party system, ways to achieve electoral reform, the role media plays in impacting minor party efforts, Carney v Adams, and Governor Cuomo's 2020 Undemocratic Shenanigans.

Time Stamp Index:
0:48 - Introduction
2:14 - Question: What sparked your interest in studying ballot access laws?
3:59 - Question: Is the Two Party system a real issue? Or is it something inevitable in the current form of US democracy?
8:06 - Question: What was the Copenhagen meeting?
10:00 - Question: How does the US reinforce the Two Party system?
15:07 - Question: Would a national standard for ballot access solve some of the issues third parties face?
18:15 - Question: Do these issues stem from the state level as well?
21:10 - Question: How impressive is the Libertarian Party’s effort to achieve full ballot access multiple times?
22:55 - Topic: The History of the Two Party system and Minor Party successes.
23:58 - Winger’s Response to Question Begins
28:38 - Question: Do you think one of the two major parties could collapse in the near future? Could that lead to a dismantling of the two party system?
29:12 - Answer: Duverger’s Law, Rank Choice Voting, Proportional Representation
32:17 - Question: If Rank Choice Voting is successful, could we potentially see the two party system mobilize to stop it from spreading?
32:54 - Question: What are some benchmarks of success for minor parties in the 2020 election?
34:56 - Question: Are CA’s state house districts intentionally large?
36:34 - Question: Do you think the Libertarian Party reaching 5% on the federal level would help end the two-party system? Opinions on Jorgensen’s campaign?
37:32 - Answer: Playing “spoiler” is the best method for achieving electoral reform.
40:04 - Question: Does the media over scrutinize third party candidates?
43:15 - Small discussion on how the media treats third party candidates.
45:00 - Question: What are some positive developments for third parties?
48:23 - Topic: Governor Cuomo’s Undemocratic Shenanigans
52:51 - Question: Can we achieve a multiparty system in the US? Or is polarization too extreme?
54:41 - Question: Is our electoral system more democratic or authoritarian?
55:46 - Question: Is there anything from your most recent edition of Ballot Access News that you’d like to share?
56:02 - Answer: Carney v Adams
58:20 - Topic: Reading Recommendations
58:34 - Lee Drutman’s Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America
59:52 - Closing Remarks