Final answer:
America's political system is distinguished by a two-party structure and recent challenges like gerrymandering, whereas European countries have multi-party parliamentary systems for greater political diversity. International trade is less critical for the U.S. due to its large economy, unlike EU countries that trade freely among members.
Step-by-step explanation:
The United States and European countries like France have distinct political systems that reflect different histories and political philosophies. In the United States, the influence of gerrymandering has recently made governance challenging by reinforcing the rigidity of elected representatives.
The American political landscape, while perceived by its citizens as diverse, is actually more homogeneous and generally more centrist compared to the global political spectrum. From a European perspective, American politics often appears to be just to the right of center, drawing parallels to the similarity between Pepsi and Coke.
In contrast, the European parliamentary systems accommodate a broader range of political parties and philosophies than the American two-party system. This diversity within European politics can be attributed to the parliamentary nature of governance, where multiple parties can hold power and influence.
Additionally, the international system of politics today is dominated by European-established rules and norms, as other systems have been dismantled due to historical colonialism and imperialism. When it comes to international trade, the United States' sizeable domestic economy necessitates less international trade compared to smaller economies.
Countries in the European Union (EU) engage in trade with far fewer restrictions such as tariffs and quotas, thereby increasing their trade ratios. This difference in economic behavior further illustrates the contrasts between the American and European systems.