@fraxinus I mean specifically the two-party system, I should have clarified. The (literal) bipolar system we have specifically divides people beyond the point of coming to a common agreement. Every single political argument is either for or against, and always the extreme in one direction or the other. Most people don't really think on those terms, but modern American politics has a way of making it seem like there is no choice.

@Graham I don't think it would directly be Republicans rejecting democracy, but as mentioned above, only that it appears either side did. I grew up in a conservative household, and the prevalent idea that "crooked Democrats were rigging the polls" was almost a regular discussing around election season. It is not a far stretch at all for someone to think that if "they aren't playing by the rules, why should we?". it wouldn't be everyone en mass either, it would start with small groups and domino.

@TitaniumTurtle I'm genuinely curious then - what was your family's basis for that? I've no quibbles with the concept of "crooked Democrats" insofar as any political party can have some crooks. The idea that they all are crooked though (with the corollary that "our side" aren't) goes against the concept of a "loyal opposition" though which really is fundamental to democracy. Is this because of how the parties changed representation after the New Deal?

@Graham Honestly, I think both sides will always argue that opposing leaders are crooked, and that opposing followers are stupid sheep. The argument then leads into debating the intelligence of the opposing leaders, if they are stupid then that is the cause of their faulty ideals. But if they aren't stupid then they must be intelligent, and therefore intentionally misleading people, thus evil. Accusations of election rigging are honestly just par for the course though.