But, but, but things get done in gov'ts with >2 party systems! ;) Oh, it was funny. I think that we need to be able to compromise, for sure. I think parties provide people with labels that they feel comfortable operating under and thus they feel comfortable expressing certain opinions, and I do think with a 1.5 party or a "blurred party line towards the center" we would see, perhaps, a great deal of "I'm going to just strike for the center" without necessarily encouraging difference or, yes, eventually difference does lead to radicalism, and radicalism is part of the problem here. I don't think we have a >2 party system because I feel like when the rain comes out everyone goes running back for their chosen label. Like, when the fight's fightin', Tea Partiers and old-school Republicans run to their side and stick to it; same with Democrats and new Democrats. I would like to see >2 parties because I would like to feel like I have more of a choice in what I am voting for. However in that case I'd also prefer we vote for people along issues, i.e., "I stand by Elizabeth Warren on women's rights issues," than blanket "You can have this job for 4 years and I just hope/believe that I will agree with you on most of the issues that you encounter in those two/four/six years which by the way could be literally anything." (That was a low blow but it felt good.)
This is why local gov't is your best friend. City/county council positions, mayoral elections, state legislature, every stupid ballot initiative for every boring thing- that's where the hyper-specialized interests find their home. Which is why the freshman member on my city council is a self-proclaimed socialist (whether or not she actually is is another issue). It's also way easier to see the effects of your ideologies play out on a local level. Which can be A) very affirming or at least B) a useful way to test and then revise your ideologies. And with enough local sea change, movements will ripple outward. This, incidentally, is also why conservatives have been pouring so much money into local elections. It's also why it's not just convenient, but especially important to be active locally.
I find that interesting, considering the origins of the Soviet Union. Even the word "soviet" means "local council."This is why local gov't is your best friend.
conservatives have been pouring so much money into local elections