Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A two-party system is a political system in which two major political parties dominate the government and elections at almost every level. In such systems, smaller parties often exist but have significantly less influence on politics and policy.
Related terms
Political Party: A group of individuals with similar political goals and opinions that seeks to influence public policy by getting its candidates elected to office.
The method by which votes are counted to determine election winners, influencing how political power is distributed within a country.
Plurality Voting System: A voting system in which the candidate who receives the most votes within a geographic area wins the election, often used in countries with a two-party system