Why do you think a 3rd party has not emerged in the US? I believe it’s the only western democracy with a 2-party system?
When AOC said that if she were in another country she would not be in the same party as “establishment” Dems she was criticized by many progressives for being divisive...but she wasn’t wrong either.
The two parties are now fully co opted. And so is the corporate owned media.
It comes down to money and airtime. The internet is changing that. On both counts.
In 2012 2 million voted third party, in 2016 7 million.
I'm waiting to see what the count is this time to see if it's a trend. One other trend is in the 80's over 80% of the population registered as one of the two parties. Now it's 60% split even.
The primary system and having to register leans toward the two parties. And helps them identify voters to target, gerrymander, get all the media attention, use the divisions to create simple tribalism.
It's my belief now that the proliferation of smartphones and internet penetration to the masses is waking people up. Add in alternative media that is rising steadily and crowdfunding made easy and this may be the beginning of the tipping point.
It's generational as well. Socialism isn't a dirty word to those under 40. In ten years they may reach a population point to make a difference.
