AHC: Have America Develop Regional Parties?

Does anyone think a centrist party similar to the Lib-Dems in the UK could work as a third party in the US?

The Democrats are in many ways already a centrist party, there support embraces a pretty big spectrum that in this country would range from the left of the tory party to the green party, but the dominant figures, at least recently, such as the Clintons and Barack Obama would be more likely to be a Lib Dem or even Conservative in the UK than Labour. So a centrist party would be pretty much the same to the Democrats in many areas.
Also, the Lib Dem base at its height was just as much a function of being a 'none of the above' party than there actual policies, hence why there support was concentrated in those areas furthest removed from Westminster, like SW England, and the Highlands of Scotland. There are similar areas of America, but they are usually well to the right. Therefore, if a party with a similar appeal to the Lib Dems came into existence, it would likely be a right wing and primarily southern party, even though the two parties would practically be the antithesis of one another.
 
I'm always attracted to the idea of a stable Progressive Party.
What about a TL where there are two minor parties as well as the Democrats and Republicans. There's a Midwestern-based Progressive Party and a right-wing party that started off as pro-segregation, but got 're-branded' in the 1980s to appeal to the Christian Right. So basically you get a four party political spectrum that goes from social democrat to liberal to conservative to Tea Party.

Well, if you're okay with multiple minor parties, you should definitely check out Ruins of an American Party System!

But for an original scenario, yes, it would be interesting to see a couple of minor regional parties in regions that are generally susceptible to one-party rule otherwise. No one would have a truly national party, but that was largely true IOTL anyway- the GOP couldn't win a race for dogcatcher in the South, and it in turn had its own, pure Republican bastions.

Some thoughts on the regional breakdown:

  • In the Northeast it's generally Republicans vs Democrats with a smattering of Progressives (usually only when they've got a really charming candidate). You might see the occasional Dixiecrat sneak in.
  • The Ohio Valley states (eastern Midwest) see Republicans on one side and a fairly balanced split between Progressives (suburban-to-rural) and Democrats (suburban-to-urban).
  • The South is split between the Dixiecrats (populist white voters keen on segregation) and the Democrats (whites from across the political spectrum who are not driven by segregation, as well as African Americans). Over time, they'll likely sort themselves with the Dixiecrats on the right and the Democrats on the left, but both parties might be more politically moderate than OTL with race being the only truly salient issue.
  • The Midwest and Great Plains will be Republicans vs Progressives with a smattering of Democrats (mostly based around unions, like railroad workers).
  • The Southwest will also be largely Republicans vs Progressives, but if the Dixiecrats can expand to being anti-Latino, they could make a splash here.
  • The west coast is difficult, as all three states have a history of fairly balanced political control between Democrats and Republicans, AS WELL as being bastions of the Progressive Movement (plus some large agricultural tendencies in certain areas that might be appealing to Dixiecrats). This might be the most chaotic region.
If you can keep enough of the country generally in one-on-one contests, that might stop the parties from merging.
 
Well, if you're okay with multiple minor parties, you should definitely check out Ruins of an American Party System!

But for an original scenario, yes, it would be interesting to see a couple of minor regional parties in regions that are generally susceptible to one-party rule otherwise. No one would have a truly national party, but that was largely true IOTL anyway- the GOP couldn't win a race for dogcatcher in the South, and it in turn had its own, pure Republican bastions.

Some thoughts on the regional breakdown:

  • In the Northeast it's generally Republicans vs Democrats with a smattering of Progressives (usually only when they've got a really charming candidate). You might see the occasional Dixiecrat sneak in.
  • The Ohio Valley states (eastern Midwest) see Republicans on one side and a fairly balanced split between Progressives (suburban-to-rural) and Democrats (suburban-to-urban).
  • The South is split between the Dixiecrats (populist white voters keen on segregation) and the Democrats (whites from across the political spectrum who are not driven by segregation, as well as African Americans). Over time, they'll likely sort themselves with the Dixiecrats on the right and the Democrats on the left, but both parties might be more politically moderate than OTL with race being the only truly salient issue.
  • The Midwest and Great Plains will be Republicans vs Progressives with a smattering of Democrats (mostly based around unions, like railroad workers).
  • The Southwest will also be largely Republicans vs Progressives, but if the Dixiecrats can expand to being anti-Latino, they could make a splash here.
  • The west coast is difficult, as all three states have a history of fairly balanced political control between Democrats and Republicans, AS WELL as being bastions of the Progressive Movement (plus some large agricultural tendencies in certain areas that might be appealing to Dixiecrats). This might be the most chaotic region.
If you can keep enough of the country generally in one-on-one contests, that might stop the parties from merging.

Sounds like a similar setup to Canada, and California could be a three-party state similar to OTL British Columbia (where NDP, Liberals, and Conservatives all win large numbers of seats).
Thanks for the suggestions, it's a good setup!:)
 
I have an idea for an American multi-party system, one divided into two big parties and three small parties. These are:

Democrats
  • Centrism
  • Third Way
  • Liberalism

Republicans
  • Fiscal conservatism
  • Liberal conservatism
  • Neoconservatism

Progressives
  • Social democracy
  • Populism

Constitution
  • Christian right
  • Isolationism
  • Social conservatism

American Party
  • American nationalism
  • Anti-immigration
  • Right-wing populism
 
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