Thread: What would a post- "Liberal vs. Conservative" society consist?

Originally Posted by kenrichaed

The set of disagreements are always the same because the issues are always the same..not sure what exactly your hoping for.

The issues, such as how we see government's role - how powerful - size - intrusiveness - etc - will probably always be with us. I'm not hoping for anything in particular. It just seems to be that these two (left/Right) filters are fairly restrictive to the whole host of possibilities.

I can see a future with a sharp divide between the few rich and the many poor in 2nd world conditions where the two parties would be the party of the rich and the party that pretends to represent the poor. I can also see a future where there would be a political struggle between globalists and nationalists, or a future where the Greens face off against a combined Republican/Democratic party. I can even see a future where there is a military junta in power temporarily suspending elections while they clean up the corridors of power.

What I can't see is a future where a party with true Libertarian principles faces off against a crony-capitalist/big government party nor can I see a future where the main two parties are the right-wing social conservative party and the right-wing individual freedoms party. Nor can I see, without massive and systemic changes, a system with more than two political parties that actually matter come election time.

The current system perpetuates the ultimate in elitism. In a country of roughly 300,000,000 distinct parties, only two have any influence.

Originally Posted by kenrichaed

The two parties represent the views of most Americans so why would we move to something else? This is why you don't see competitive third parties. It's because there is not enough room for views separate enough from the two parties to be viable.

A USA TODAY analysis of state voter registration statistics shows registered Democrats declined in 25 of the 28 states that register voters by party. Republicans dipped in 21 states, while independents increased in 18 states.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politic...ies/52171688/1

Originally Posted by skeptic-f

I can see a future with a sharp divide between the few rich and the many poor in 2nd world conditions where the two parties would be the party of the rich and the party that pretends to represent the poor.

That seems to be almost what we have today - at least as seen from each of the two opposing party's perspective.

I can also see a future where there would be a political struggle between globalists and nationalists, or a future where the Greens face off against a combined Republican/Democratic party. I can even see a future where there is a military junta in power temporarily suspending elections while they clean up the corridors of power.

Yes - globalists vs nationalists. That's a definite possibility.

What I can't see is a future where a party with true Libertarian principles faces off against a crony-capitalist/big government party nor can I see a future where the main two parties are the right-wing social conservative party and the right-wing individual freedoms party. Nor can I see, without massive and systemic changes, a system with more than two political parties that actually matter come election time.

Unfortunately, I think that last statement probably reflects reality.

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Originally Posted by A Common Anomaly

A USA TODAY analysis of state voter registration statistics shows registered Democrats declined in 25 of the 28 states that register voters by party. Republicans dipped in 21 states, while independents increased in 18 states.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politic...ies/52171688/1

Maybe we aren't alone in our frustration with these two political parties.

Option #1: European-style socialist democracy

Option #2: Constitutional Republic with Democratic traditions

Originally Posted by darckriver

Maybe we aren't alone in our frustration with these two political parties.

I think the only people who are not frustrated are those not paying attention.

As long as we hold on to this ineffective and outdated plurality voting system,
a third party coming to power will be extremely unlikely regardless of how many Americans share the views of such a party.

Try to build a platform for a third party that is different from the republicans and democrats yet can appeal to a majority of voters.

You will quickly see why there aren't any viable third parties in America.