What's the closest thing to a one-party state?

A two-party state.

America boasts that we are the free-est, the greatest democracy in the world. When in reality it's not much more than a borderline one-party state--a borderline dictatorship. And has been for the past 100 years or so since the last of the major third parties in the country ceased to exist. So now virtually all alternative voices are effectively shut out of the political process.

It seems to me, the elites and the powers that be would prefer the one-party state if they could get away with it. Because that would be even easier to control. But since it would look really bad in the eyes of the world, it must allow the 'two-party' system to exist in order to at least maintain an appearance of democracy.

So the two-party system is the best of both worlds. They get to preserve and enjoy the full benefits of a system which preserves their near-absolute power, while avoiding the appearance of a totalitarian state! Problem solved.

My contention is, any system which offers you basically two choices, and not a diverse variety of choices, cannot be considered a democracy. A borderline one-party state, (which by definition the two-party state effectively is) does not a vibrant, robust democracy make.

I doubt most Americans even think about it.

by the same small cabal of wealthy people, something that hasn't happened as yet, not completely. There are still core difference between the two parties.

The weakness of the multi party state is that coalitions have to be formed among disparate parties to form a majority government. Look at Israel and the power the hard line far right religious parties wield to find out why that can be a very bad idea. The power given to the splinter party can be completely out of proportion to its support by the population.

the winner take all system.

Sure there can be some drawbacks, as there is with any system, but the advantages of the multi-party system outweigh the cons. Because democracy flourishes when more voices are not only heard, especially the popular ones, but are actually represented in government.

To offer an analogy: when two large companies dominate a particular market, they always end up colluding with each other and prices stay high. Which is why competition and diversity in the marketplace is so much healthier for consumers and ultimately healthier for the economy. While monopoly and collusion can only lead to stagnation and recession. The same concept is true for politics and the marketplace of ideas.

For example, if Congressman Al Wynn (D-MD) doesn't share your values, you can donate to progressive Democrat Donna Edwards.

And this the probably the greatest problem with the two-party system.

It tends to lead to voter apathy. Because although you are given the
opportunity to choose between A or B, it ain't much of a choice.

There is actually a third choice---which is to stay home and not vote at all.
In every election, this always turns out to be the most popular choice of all.

i.e. most totalitarian states.

Are we a parliamentary government? No. Are we a dictatorship? No.

There are many parties in all states other than the Democratic or Republican parties. They garner a handful of votes each election season.

And every American has the right to vote for whomever they choose.

My point is - it may not be the 'system', but the lack of electoral votes that consign third parties to a 'thorn-in-the-side function.

I'm a Democrat and make no bones about some of the choices we need to make to move a broad agenda forward.

I understand your angst, I think, yet encourage you to fish or cut bait. Help build a faction within the party of your choice or support another party. This has been our political history from day one.

Just my two cents. Thanks for your post.

Are we a borderline one-party state? Yes.

I'm not trying to be judgmental or saying that it's a good or bad thing.

I'm just stating a fact.

:rofl: sorry, couldn't resist!

Bush or Clinton.

one party rule and corrupt to the core.

They do not need to hide under the party banner of one party. They can hide under several banners. In the US, they can hide under both Democratic and Republican banners. It's why the US has consistently failed for several decades to institute universal health care of any kind.