logo

Can Social Media Push Politics Beyond the Two-Party System?

image
Author: Chad Peace
Created: 24 June, 2012
Updated: 21 November, 2022
1 min read
We were recently asked whether social media sites, specifically Ruck.us, can "really can make a difference in the political world given that it is run and funded largely by Democrats?"  First, I don't think it matters that Ruck.us is funded largely by Democrats. The question of whether social media can make a difference in our two-party political system should be answered before we get to that issue.

I support any attempt to "democratize" the process and bring the political dialogue to regular people.  However, with respect to social media, I believe that to have a real impact, a website has to capture more than just those willing to participate in social media political circles.  While the majority of voters might find themselves on some for of social network, I do not think the average voter will spend their time talking about politics online.  The average voter is folding their laundry, taking care of their kids, and watching a football game.
Those of us who live in the political world, right or wrong, often lose sight of this.  While Ruck.us has admirable goals and may ultimately meet a great level of success, I am not sure whether it will be able to have an affect that "goes beyond the two-party system."  I think that the political dialogue must change on a more general level before those involved enough to join a political social network will have the power to change it.  After all, the people folding their laundry, taking care of their kids, and watching the football game, stopped listening to our political rants a long time ago.

Latest articles

votes
Wyoming Purges Nearly 30% of Its Voters from Registration Rolls
It is not uncommon for a state to clean out its voter rolls every couple of years -- especially to r...
27 March, 2024
-
1 min read
ballot box
The Next Big Win in Better Election Reform Could Come Where Voters Least Expect
Idaho isn't a state that gets much attention when people talk about politics in the US. However, this could change in 2024 if Idahoans for Open Primaries and their allies are successful with their proposed initiative....
21 March, 2024
-
3 min read
Courts
Why Do We Accept Partisanship in Judicial Elections?
The AP headline reads, "Ohio primary: Open seat on state supreme court could flip partisan control." This immediately should raise a red flag for voters, and not because of who may benefit but over a question too often ignored....
19 March, 2024
-
9 min read
Nick Troiano
Virtual Discussion: The Primary Solution with Unite America's Nick Troiano
In the latest virtual discussion from Open Primaries, the group's president, John Opdycke, sat down ...
19 March, 2024
-
1 min read
Sinema
Sinema's Exit Could Be Bad News for Democrats -- Here's Why
To many, the 2024 presidential primary has been like the movie Titanic - overly long and ending in a disaster we all saw coming from the start. After months of campaigning and five televised primary debates, Americans are now faced with a rematch between two candidates polling shows a majority of them didn’t want....
19 March, 2024
-
7 min read