Similarity in party systems (US vs UK)

Topic 1

Dominance of two major parties at national level

US 1

Despite structural differences, both US and UK party systems are dominated by two main parties in national politics.

In US, the Democrats and republicans dominate the federal and state legislatures, with third party candidates rarely winning significant representation.

This is caused by the FPTP system which helps reinforce the dominance of two major parties. In US, FPTP means that candidates only need a plurality to win, discouraging third party support

UK 1

Similarly in the UK, labour and the labour and conservatives hold the majority of seats in the HoC, capturing over 75% of the vote in the 2019 general election.

Similarly, UK’s FPTP system favours larger parties and incentives tactical voting with smaller parties struggling to win individual constituents.

Similarities 1

This is a similarity because practically both systems are characterised by the dominance of two primary parties despite the UK technically being a multi-party system

Structural analysis

Focusing on the institutional impact of the FPTP in consolidating major party dominance and deterring smaller party in both the UK and US

Topic 2

Difficulty for smaller parties to compete in national elections

US 2

In both UK and US, smaller parties face significant barriers to winning national elections due to the FPTP system.

In the US, third parties struggle to secure electoral votes or win seats in Congress

Example:

Green party, libertarians

-people vote as a protest vote

In 2024 Presidential election, Green Party nominee Jill Stein received 0.56% of the national popular vote, as people voted green due to disagreements with Harris’ stance on Palestine (not strong enough

UK 2

whilst in the UK, parties like the LibDems and SNP also find it challenging to compete against labour and the conservatives on a national scale.

Example:

In 2019 UK general election, LibDem received 11.5% of the vote but only won 11seats.

Similarities 2

This is a similarity because both system’s electoral frameworks disadvantage smaller parties at national level, reinforcing a two-party dominance.

This is structural analysis as it examines how the design of the FPTP system limits smaller parties’ electoral success, shaping the two-party system in both countries.

Topic 3

Success of smaller parties are regional and local level

US 3

Smaller or regional parties can achieve success at local or regional levels in both systems, even if they struggle nationally.

In US, parties like the Libertarian party and the Green party have won some state and local seats,

Example:

2001–2022

Minority (1/13 seats)

Minneapolis City Council in Minnesota

UK 3

whilst in the UK, regional parties like the SNP and Plaid Cymru have significant influence in Scotland and Wales, respectively. The SNP for example dominates Scottish parliament but holds less influence in Westminster.

Example:

In 2026, Scottish National Party has 60 MSPs, has near majority in Scottish parliament, controlling devolved legislative agenda.

Similarity 3

This is a similarity because smaller parties in both US and UK can succeed in localised areas, even if they lack significant power at national level.

This is rational analysis, as it reflects how smaller parties adapt strategically to focus on regional influence where they have higher chances of success.