oligopoly & politics (Macroeconomics)

We learned about oligopoly in Ch 10.  A special case of oligopoly is a market with only two major producers – a duopoly.    Increasingly our political system (and even that of some EU countries) is described as a duopoly.  Scan the articles and

1. Summarize how a political oligopoly is similar in structure, behavior and outcomes to a market oligopoly.  Be sure to make clear (cited) references to the articles.
2. Does the comparison seem justified to you?  Do you think it is a problem, or not?  Why?
3. What could possibly be done to improve the situation?

 The Results of Political Oligopoly (very brief w/ an interesting quote from John Adams)

http://whigblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/results-of-political-oligopoly.html

 Ending the Presidential Debate Duopoly

http://www.govexec.com/oversight/on-politics/2015/05/ending-presidential-debate-duopoly/112249/

Political Oligopolies – Brit view

http://interactivedemocracy.blogspot.com/2012/05/political-oligopolies.html

Extra…with a disturbing photo….

Death of the Duopoly

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303848104576385922449922958.html