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