Can the Rise of the “Tea Party” Pose a Threat to the Republican and Democratic Parties?
This will be hard. First, the tea party is loosely organized. Second, the U.S. Republican and Democratic Parties must deal with an emerging party’s energy — no matter what new ideas are brought forth by the newly emerging party. U.S. Republicans and Democrats must both be able to welcome “Wikipedia” — the idea of absorbing new ideas into one’s own — which consequently hinders growth opportunities for small parties. As for the rise of the U.S. “tea party,” it will force the Republican Party to have some degree of reflection.
