Third PartiesAny party other than Democrat or

Republican

Two-Party System1. Why does the United States have a two party system?

The electoral voting system, legal barriers to third parties, history and tradition, and political socialization.

2. Why do some object to the two-party system?

Undemocratic because it does not represent significant parts of the population and greatly limits the choices Americans have.

Coke and PepsiThe two political parties are a lot like the two giants of the cola world, Coke and Pepsi. Although each wants to win, they both recognize that it is in their mutual interest to keep a third cola from gaining significant market share. Coke and Pepsi, many people have argued, conspire to keep any competitor from

gaining ground. For example, in supermarkets, cola displays at the end of the aisles are often given over to Coke for six months

of the year and Pepsi for the other six. Competitors such as Royal Crown face an extremely difficult challenge. The

Democrats and the Republicans function in much the same way.

History of Third Parties● No third party candidate has ever come close to

winning the presidency● Only eight third party candidates in history have

won ANY electoral votes● Only five third-party candidates have won more

than 10% of the popular vote

Theodore Roosevelt

● 1912 Election● Bull Moose Party (Progressive Party)-A

splinter party-Republicans● 27.4% Popular Vote● Won 6 states=88 Electoral Votes● 26th President of the U.S.

Obstacles of Third Parties● Third-party candidates usually have to get

thousands of signatures on petitions just to belisted on the ballot.

● The state and federal governments, which make rules governing elections, are composed of elected Democratic and Republican officials, who have a strong incentive to protect the existing duopoly.

● Third-party candidates often face financial difficulties because a party must have received at least 5 percent of the vote in the previous election in order to qualify for federal funds.

Impact of Third Parties

1. Introduce new ideas2.Put issues on the agenda3.Spoil the election (2000 Election-Gore

& Bush)4.Keep the major parties honest

The “Big Three” Parties

1.Libertarian Party2.Green Party3.Constitution Party

*Each have over 75,000 Registered Voters

Libertarian Party

The Party of PrincipleMinimum Government, Maximum Freedom

Vision: A world where individuals are free to follow

their own dreams in their own ways, a world of

peace, harmony, opportunity, and abundance.

Green Party● Grassroots activists,

environmentalists, advocates for social justice, nonviolent resisters and regular citizens who’ve had enough of corporate-dominated politics.

● Committed to environmentalism, non-violence, social justice and grassroots organizing, Greens are renewing democracy without the support of corporate donors.

Constitution Party

Mission: Secure the blessings of liberty and posterity at all levels of government and Constitution Party candidates who will uphold the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. The goal is to limit the federal government to its Constitutional functions.

Quiz on Third Parties1. Which Third Party declares that their

“foundation...is the Lord Jesus Christ”?2. Which party believes in “total individual

liberty”?3. Which party believes that corporations

have too much power in our government?4. Which party is pro-gay marriage and pro-

gun rights?

1. Ideological Party: Parties based on a particular set of social, economic and political beliefs.

2. Single Issue Party: Parties focused on only one issue (ANIMAL LIBERATION PARTY)

3. Economic Protest Party: Parties whose members are united by anger over economic hard times and dislike for the major parties (TEA PARTY)

4. Splinter Party: Parties that have split off from one of the major parties

Types of 3rd Parties

3rd Party Activity ● Research Parties (see below) provide a 1-2 sentence summary

● Place each party on political spectrum (L----------M-----------C)

● Label type of third party (I, SI, EP or S)

http://www.politics1.com/parties.htm

Third Parties1. Light Party 6.

Prohibition Party2. U.S. Pacifist Party 7. Reform

Party3. Citizens Party 8. Tax

Wall Street Party4. Socialist Party 9.

Canary Party5. Communist Party 10. American

Nazi Party