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MCC Daily Tribune

Wednesday: The History and Role of America's Political Parties

Are you interested in learning more about America's political parties and our two-party system? Join Professors Louis Andolino and Joseph Scanlon, and Associate Vice President John Delate, for a three-part series on the history and current state of America's political parties. Learn about the role of parties in American politics, the origins of our dominant parties, and the potentially changing party landscape and opportunities for reform.

Part I: The History and Role of America’s Political Parties

Wednesday, March 3, 1-150pm

The United States has two dominant political parties, the Republican and Democratic parties. The origin of today’s two-party system dates back to the early years of our Constitutional era. While our two-party system has seen numerous disruptions and realignments, it has persisted in its current form. It is also true that the framers of the Constitution disliked the idea of parties, but soon after ratification of the Constitution, parties proved to be effective ways of coordinating political activity. Join Lou Andolino, Professor of Political Science, John Delate, Associate Vice President of Student Services, and Joseph Scanlon, Assistant Professor of Political Science, for an interactive discussion about the origins of our two-party system and the function that parties play in American politics.

Zoom: Link: https://monroecommunity.zoom.us/j/83215983816

Part II: Demographics, Culture, and the Current Party System

Wednesday, March 10, 1-150pm

America’s dominant political parties have often consisted of coalitions of voters under “big tents.” For decades this gave the Republican and Democratic parties broad appeal among liberal and conservative leaning voters. However, given the increasing complexity and diversity of American society, the broad appeal of both parties has waned in recent years. Therefore, we must ask: is the current party arrangement tenable? Join Lou Andolino, Professor of Political Science, John Delate, Associate Vice President of Student Services, and Joseph Scanlon, Assistant Professor of Political Science, for an interactive discussion about the factors contributing to party discontent in American politics, and what America's two-party system might look like in the near future.

Zoom Link:  https://monroecommunity.zoom.us/j/87343989435

Part III: When Two is Not Enough: Toward a Multi-Party System

Wednesday, March 17th, 1-150pm

If the current party arrangement is not tenable, how can we correct the problem? Many American wish they had greater party choice. Join Lou Andolino, Professor of Political Science, John Delate, Associate Vice President of Student Services, and Joseph Scanlon, Assistant Professor of Political Science, for an interactive discussion about electoral system reforms that can produce a party system more representative of America’s increasing diversity and complexity.

Zoom Link: https://monroecommunity.zoom.us/j/87569628404​ 

Joseph Scanlon
Anthrop/History/Poli. Science/Sociology
03/02/2021