What parties would the US have if it switched to proportional representation?

[morgieb]

Some guesses....

Green Party

Leader: Ralph Nader (though is moving towards Jill Stein)
Other members: Dennis Kuninch, Cynthia McKinney
Ideology: Green politics, democratic socialism, Left to far-left.
Further info: Would be the major far-left party in recent years following the irrelevance of the Communist Party (which would've had at best a minor role at their peak anyway), but still pretty irrelevant. Probably would've gotten most of their support during the late 90's/early 00's, until the Iraq War, and would be more pacifistic and environmentally conscious than the Progressives. Would only get support in very left-wing hippy areas, in places like Vermont, and in certain enclaves on the West Coast.
Most similar party: Australian Greens probably.

Progressive Party

Leader: Elizabeth Warren
Other members: Howard Dean, Bernie Sanders, Russ Feingold, Tammy Baldwin, Barbara Boxer
Ideology: Social democracy, American progressivism, center-left to left.
Further info: Probably would've been created around 2003 due to a backlash from Labor and Liberal politicians over Iraq, this party would be the main progressive/left party these days. It would be the party that the Kos-types support, and would be rapidly emerging. Basically supports most progressive items, but would be more moderate and palatable than the Greens. Opposes most wars, but will support in certain circumstances. Is pushing for issues such as single-payer health care, gay marriage and filibuster reform. Would be largely limited to the cities in their appeal however, but would win urban whites in liberal areas and would compete with Labor and Liberal for the votes of minorities.
Most similar party: Canada's NDP.

Liberal Party

Leader: Barack Obama
Other members: The Clintons, Chuck Schumer, Harry Reid, Steny Hoyer, John Kerry, Martin O'Malley, Deval Patrick.
Ideology: American liberalism, social liberalism, Third Way, center to center-left.
Further info: The major center-left party today, and would have dominated American government historically although they are losing power. They tend to support the continuation of most government initiatives, which would've largely been introduced by them (with support from Labor) but tend to be more moderate and are willing to keep their options on the table regarding regulations, taxes and social programs in order to gain support from suburbanites and to keep the country running effectively. Would mostly be socially liberal but are fairly moderate on foreign policy. Their coalition would be similar to the current Democratic Party, except for shedding more working-class voters and urban progressives.
Most similar party: actual American Democrats, Canada's Liberals.

Labor Party

Leader: Brian Schweitzer
Other members: Stephen Lynch, Bob Casey, Mike Beebe
Ideology: Social democracy, populism, social conservatism. Economic: Center-left, Social: Center-right
Further info: The working man's party, and would be the most supported 'left' party historically. They still however get support in industrial areas and would poll well in the Rust Belt and Appalachia. Would largely support regulation, the safety net, and higher taxes, but would largely be pro-life, pro-gun and somewhat nationalistic and anti-immigration.
Most similar party: I don't really know - but I think something like this exists.

Democrat Party

Leader: Andrew Cuomo
Other members: Michael Bloomberg, Gavin Newsom
Ideology: Liberalism, social liberalism, economic liberalism, Center.
Further info: Potentially could be seen as a 'moderate hero' style party, these guys tend to be pretty radical on economic issues and are willing to cut taxes and social programs. However, generally they tend to be more liberal on social issues, and in fact are stronger backers of issues such as gay marriage than even the Liberals, which is what separates them from the Tories. Much of their support comes from the wealthy and college kids who descend from Conservatives.
Most similar party: UK's Liberal Democrats, the name is based on the old Australian Democrats party.

Conservative Party

Leader: Chris Christie, following the meltdown of Mitt Romney.
Other members: John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, John McCain, The Bushes, Marco Rubio, Orrin Hatch, Susan Collins, Susana Martinez
Ideology: American conservatism, liberal conservatism, center-right
Further info: The major right-wing party, and would've largely dominated American politics since the 1980's. In general they support most major conservative policies - they aren't afraid to cut taxes and entitlements, and most people in the party agree that the government should be as small as possible and want to cut spending as much as possible. However, the majority of the party do not want to end entitlements completely, and don't mind pork that much. They are the most hawkish of the major parties, and are also generally socially conservative. However, their rhetoric is different to the Tea Party, as they have clashed with the party over abortion (legitimate rape and all that), and the party is moderating on immigration and gay rights. In addition, the party tries to compromise and make deals with other parties. The main coalition for this party would be akin to the Republican coalition of the 80’s, with stronger support than the current Republican party in the suburbs.
Most similar party: Any center-right party in the world.

Blue Dog Alliance

Leader: Mike Huckabee
Other members: Mike McIntyre, Ben Nelson
Ideology: Populism, social conservatism, agrarianism, center to center-right.
Further info: Similar to the Conservative and Democrat party, but more populist in their tone and not as right-wing as the Tea Party. Some people are fairly moderate but have a different sort of appeal than Democrat-types. In other cases they are very right-wing on social issues but aren’t afraid of more left-wing economic policies. In general, they would be socially conservative but somewhat fiscally protectionist and progressive. Their main support would be in farmland areas, plus older Dixiecrat areas that are kinda populist.
Most similar party: No idea, Australian Nationals could work but not significantly.

Tea Party

Leader: Ted Cruz
Other members: Rick Santorum, Allen West, Michelle Bachmann, Sarah Palin, Jim DeMint, Joe Walsh, Eric Cantor
Ideology: Populist conservatism, social conservatism, national conservatism, right-wing.
Further info: Would have been created around 2009 over the perceived moderation of the Conservatives, and would be rapidly rising in support. Similar to the Conservatives in their policies, but not so much in their rhetoric – they staunchly oppose the current leadership and liberals in general. They make more of a fuss on social issues, and have also refused to comply with issues such as the debt ceiling, pork distribution, and the fiscal cliff. They would get their main support among rural and exurban whites.
Most similar party: Probably the Reform Party of Canada, no idea about modern parties though.

Libertarian Party

Leader: Rand Paul
Other members: Ron Paul, Gary Johnson
Ideology: Fiscal liberalism, social liberalism, pacifism. Economic: far-right, social: left-wing
Further info: In some ways, a more extreme version of the Democrat Party, in that they don’t really believe in government at all. They take a major ‘hands-off’ role with the economy, with limited taxes, little regulation and the scaling back of entitlements. They are more mixed however on other issues. Most people disagree with foreign intervention, but some feel that in some cases intervention is necessary in rare cases. Most people agree with a ‘states rights’ approach to social issues, but their personal beliefs due differ. You usually see libertarians on the internet, as in real life.
Most similar party: The actual Libertarian party

American National Party

Leader: Tom Tancredo
Ideology: National conservatism, social conservatism, far-right.
Further info: Similar to the Tea Party, but are more focused on immigration, and are somewhat more populist on economic issues. Like most far-right nationalist parties, they hate anyone that isn’t a straight white Christian male, and have proposed major controls on border control. Their main support is with whites in border areas and some working-class places in the South.
Most similar parties: Any far-right nationalist party.

Right to Life Party

Leader: Randal Terry
Ideology: Opposition to abortion, right-wing.
Further info: Mostly concerned with abortion, they are out to protect the lives on the unborn and heavily restrict or ban abortion. Indeed, they are happy to support anyone pro-life. Other than that, they are generally right-wing, although they could differ on non-abortion issues.

Pirate Party

Ideology: Pirate politics
Further info: This party generally focuses on internet and privacy issues, and want a more open and free society and internet. They also want more transparency in the state and in life. Yes, they are aligned with other Pirate Parties.

There would also be some parties based on rights for certain races and groups, but they wouldn’t get much support. Yes, I realise that a lot of this is similar to other posts, but they’re good!