Why do Americans only have these two candidate choices in the presidential election? They seem so diametrically opposed, it is difficult to fathom how a majority of Americans could think either align with them politically.
It’s a natural result of their election system. First-past-the-post strongly disincentivizes third parties from running due to the “spoiler effect” - say there was a similar candidate to Biden that was pro-Palestine, any votes for this candidate take away votes from Biden thus making it easier for Trump to win. Most people don’t align with either party, but they don’t get much of a choice.
Why do Americans only have these two candidate choices in the presidential election? They seem so diametrically opposed, it is difficult to fathom how a majority of Americans could think either align with them politically.
It’s a natural result of their election system. First-past-the-post strongly disincentivizes third parties from running due to the “spoiler effect” - say there was a similar candidate to Biden that was pro-Palestine, any votes for this candidate take away votes from Biden thus making it easier for Trump to win. Most people don’t align with either party, but they don’t get much of a choice.
Not an American, but from outside it seems like less “which candidate is more aligned with my opinions” and more “which candidate is less abominable”.
That’s the idea. True representation isn’t a priority. Status quo is.