[0xDEAFBEAD]

I think FPTP ends up working out a lot different in the parliamentary context. The US only has 2 parties in Congress, despite FPTP.

In terms of strength of 3rd parties, I'd say they are generally quite weak in the US system, somewhat stronger in a proportional representation parliamentary system, and potentially overpowered in a FPTP parliament like in the UK.

Historically I believe the 2-party system in the US was pretty good at tamping down on extremism, but recently the 2 major parties have acquired too many extremists.

[zimpenfish]

> the 2 major parties have acquired too many extremists.

You're blaming both parties for where the US is now?

[0xDEAFBEAD]

Yep, see here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44216278

[solumunus]

MAGA is basically a reaction to the far left.