The 2 party system has existed for the vast majority of the time the country has been around. Now isn't even the most polarized period of it (though it's certainly up near the top). It's not always worse the next round but it's not always better the next round either.

Duh. The US has been this way literally since it was founded, and the poster is moving the goalposts since we were talking economy eh?

As a card-carrying Whig party member I take offense to this. US has had periods of 3 parties, where the 3rd party ousts the 1st or 2nd eventually and we're back to two party, though that's more 1800s.

This is a product of duopolistic parties AND social media algorithms. Outrage. Outrage gets clicks, gets money, gets votes.