What are the two major political parties in the United States?

The two major political parties in the United States are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. These parties have dominated the political landscape for over a century, shaping policies and representing the majority of voters in elections at local, state, and federal levels.

The Democratic Party generally advocates for more progressive policies, focusing on social justice, economic equality, and regulatory reforms, while the Republican Party typically emphasizes limited government, individual liberties, and free-market principles. This longstanding rivalry shapes much of the political discourse and electoral competition in the country.

Other parties, such as the Libertarian, Green, Independent, Reform, Socialist, or Communist parties, while they may contribute to discussions on various issues and occasionally influence specific elections, do not hold the same level of electoral power or representation within the legislative bodies of the United States as the Democratic and Republican parties do. They are considered minor parties or third parties, which struggle to gain significant traction in the predominantly two-party system. This context illustrates why the Democratic and Republican parties are recognized as the major political parties in the U.S.