For over 200 years, America has operated as a two-party system. Republicans and Democrats have had the responsibility to represent the American people, uphold the constitution, and uphold the ideology set forth by our founding fathers. Today in the year 2016, the two-party system has become dysfunctional and has created a major disenfranchised population to become independent from either major party. At a time where there is discontent with politics as usual is peaking and the structural barriers to a third-party run have effectively disappeared, statistics show a decline in identification with both parties in recent years and has emerged as one of the most important problems facing the country, according to Americans. For Democrats, they have declined from 36% the highest in 25 years to 30%. As for Republicans they declined from 28% to 26%. As for Independents, they have steadily had an increase of from 35% to 43% since 2008. - Source Gallup Polls
The trending topic about the need for a new major political party as a result has shown major interest in America. Today, 71% of independents agree that there is a need for a new major political party along with 47% of Democrats and 46% of Republicans. - Source Gallup Polls. As of 2016, millennials, people who were born 1918-2000, have become the largest voting-age and diverse population in America surpassing the baby boomers. The millennial population currently is at 88 million, but is increasing due to immigration. As studies show, millennials do not identify with political parties, therefore considered independent. -Source Bloomberg View
When it comes to the U.S political landscape, millennials play a vital role in the political process. In 2004, millennials were at a high voter turnout. In 2008, they played a crucial role in the presidential election while having the highest voting turnout in U.S history. On the contrary since 2008 until today, the millennial voting turnout has decreased and now is at it’s lowest. Millennials have the power to swing the presidential election, elect congress and senate. Today, millennials form part of group that feel disenfranchised and left out of the U.S political system. Are we to believe that this two-party system was designed to misrepresent the next generation as part of the problem and not the solution?
In 1975, members of congress who were under 40 was 70. After 1985, we began to see the decrease of representatives under 40. Today we only have 3 millennials in congress. This proves the case that there is a lack of representation for the millennial generation and the need for a new major political party in which millennials have an opportunity to form part of the political process once more and represent the next generation as elected officials in the U.S government.
If we are to look into into a new major political party in the U.S that really stands a chance to become a true contender in the political process, we have to really identify the groups which have been underrepresented in the political process via this two-party system which play a vital role in this defining the future. The groups that have an opportunity to form part of the process toward this new party include the millennials, minority groups, and baby boomers.
For the longest time, minority groups have never been put into consideration due to the population demographics and voting turnout. As of 2014, the Hispanic population in the U.S is 55 million, which constitutes for 17% of the national population. This making it the largest ethnic minority in the nation. Hispanics would be 119 million or 28.6% of the U.S population as expected by 2060. 15 million are in California, a state with a large number of delegates during a presidential election, has the largest population of any state.
When it comes to millennials, Hispanics make up more than half of the population of eligible voters with more than 44%. The Hispanic communities have had a major uprisings in Latin America and have caused a need for new political transitions. In America, 67% of those communities are represented in America and are in favor of a new resolution via a new political process, which includes a new political party. -Source U.S Census
In the recent years, a major uprising in the Asia region has caused a need for new political transitions from different forms of governments. The Asian communities which have major representation in America are in favor of a new political transition in the political landscape. The population in America make up more than 12.4 million for those who identify as Asian or Asian Americans and who represent the communities that are pro resolution via a new political process, which includes a new major political party. -Source U.S Census
Baby boomers were the largest vote-age population in America until late 2015. However, we cannot simply forget about this generation. For this generation by 2033 as statistics show will be the largest generation dependent on the working-age population. Which means Americans in the working-age have an crucial decision for they will be supporting more people over 64 than under 18. -Source U.S Census
As we can see, all the research provided supports the case for a need for a political transition in the form of a new political party. “A political party for the next generation and includes every generation” (Joshua Chit Tun, #NextGenLeader Candidate for U.S Senate). Most third parties that have gone through the process have surfaced as social movement groups, lobby organizations, or protest groups.
The reason is most new parties cannot meet the entire requirements to become an official political party. Another reason is due to ballot access laws which differ per state. Resources and finances also play a role in the establishment of a new political party, something that new parties face in the beginning. Therefore planning and organizing play a vital role in the process of establishment.
Currently there over 30 different political parties with even more underrepresented in the political landscape. The creation of so many parties is confusing and could seem tedious to comprehend. One thing is for sure, so many ineffective parties means there is a serious need to address a lot of issues in America.
If we are to establish a definite next generation political party in America, we must make sure that we are well informed, strongly organized, and dedicated to change the political atmosphere through community action. If the right people are organized, if there is strong believe in the ideals of this new party, and if lastly you attract the right supporters, you have an opportunity to make history and define the future of America and affect the political revolution.
The one thing that is still needed to move forward in the right direction is the involvement of the youth in the political process. The youth is the future and represents the next generation. Therefore, there is a need to involve the youth in the process not just by voting for that is their birthright as a citizen of the U.S, but also the opportunity to allow youth to form part of the government in elected positions.
If we are to establish a definite major political party in America, we must make sure that we are well informed, strongly organized, and dedicated to change the political atmosphere through community action. If the right people are organized, if there is strong believe in the ideals of this new party, and if lastly you attract the right supporters, you have an opportunity to make history and define the future of America and affect the political revolution.
One group has been meeting the proper requirements to become a true contender for a major political party. This group in on the verge of making history and bringing change in America as well in the world. #NextGenLeaders, is a new political party on the rise to becoming a major force that will fight for humanity and stands for the future prosperity of our society. Founded by millennials who are leaders in diverse communities, who risked everything to create a future in which the next generation would lead the frontier as agents of change and bring world change. #NextGenLeaders are more than politicians, they are humanitarians.
References Articles for New Major Political Party in the US
Pew Research
Huffington Post | Huffington Post
Registration of Political Parties Information
Replies
This was thorough and I digested what I could. The topic is interesting and I will check your references, but overall, even without the research, I feel it is a natural course for some day to have the rise of a third major political party.
We do live in a changing political landscape, the years to come will be quite interesting indeed.
- Joshua Chit Tun