<P> The United States Constitution does not mention political parties, primarily because the Founding Fathers did not intend for American politics to be partisan . In Federalist Papers No. 9 and No. 10, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, respectively, wrote specifically about the dangers of domestic political factions . In addition, the first President of the United States, George Washington, was not a member of any political party at the time of his election or during his tenure as president . Washington hoped that political parties would not be formed, fearing conflict and stagnation . Nevertheless, the beginnings of the American two - party system emerged from his immediate circle of advisers . Hamilton and Madison ended up being the core leaders in this emerging party system . </P> <P> In modern times, in partisan elections, candidates are nominated by a political party or seek public office as an independent . Each state has significant discretion in deciding how candidates are nominated, and thus eligible to appear on the election ballot . Typically, major party candidates are formally chosen in a party primary or convention, whereas minor party and Independents are required to complete a petitioning process . </P> <P> The modern political party system in the United States is a two - party system dominated by the Democratic Party and the Republican Party . These two parties have won every United States presidential election since 1852 and have controlled the United States Congress since 1856 . The Democratic Party generally positions itself as left - of - center in American politics and supports a modern American liberal platform, while the Republican Party generally positions itself as right - of - center and supports a modern American conservative platform . </P> <P> Third parties have achieved relatively minor representation from time to time at local levels . The Libertarian Party is the largest third party in the country, claiming more than 250,000 registered voters in 2013; it generally positions itself as centrist or radical centrist and supports a classical liberal position . Other contemporary third parties include the left - wing Green Party, supporting Green politics, and the right - wing Constitution Party, supporting paleoconservatism . </P>

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