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

The Democratic Party and the Republican Party are recognized as the two major political parties in the United States today. This bipartisan system has shaped American political landscape since the mid-19th century, with the Democratic Party generally advocating for more progressive policies, including social justice and government intervention in the economy, while the Republican Party typically promotes conservative values, emphasizing limited government and individual freedoms.

The historical context shows that other parties, such as the Federalist Party and the Whig Party, played significant roles in earlier periods but have since become obsolete. Meanwhile, smaller parties like the Libertarian Party and the Green Party exist but do not have the same level of influence on national elections or governance as the Democrats and Republicans. The Independent Party and Reform Party offer alternatives but similarly do not reach the prominence of the main two parties.