Date of Completion
Spring 5-15-2026
Thesis Advisor(s)
Cornelia Dayton
Honors Major
History
Disciplines
History of Philosophy | Law and Politics | Political History | State and Local Government Law
Abstract
This thesis argues that while the founders accepted factions as inevitable within a free republic, the rise of plurality voting and the modern two-party system has distorted the constitutional balance they envisioned. By examining the emergence of America’s first political parties and the evolution of electoral systems, this thesis contends that electoral reforms such as ranked-choice, approval, and STAR voting may better preserve republican representation and reduce partisan domination.
Accessibility Requirements
1
Recommended Citation
Guthrie, John A., "“Parties vs. the People” Reconsidering the Voting Mechanisms that Entrench a Bi-party System in American Democracy" (2026). Honors Scholar Theses. 1169.
https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/srhonors_theses/1169