Warm Up Geographically, what regions of the country typically support Republicans? What regions support Democrats? Which party typically has large support in rural areas? What about in urban areas?

Thursday, September 24, 2015 Objective: Students will be able to analyze the role of third parties in American politics and compare multi-party systems to the American two-party system. Purpose: Third parties have almost no chance of winning any major positions in government, yet they still have influence over politics. Reminder: If your name is on the chalkboard, that means you still have to take the Unit 1 test. The grading period ends 1 week from tomorrow, so these need to be taken ASAP.

Types of Third Parties Ideological Parties: based on a particular set of beliefs Examples: Constitution Party, Socialist Party, American Independent Party Libertarian Party Most popular third party emphasizes individual freedom, elimination of income taxes, and significantly reducing the size of the government

Types of Third Parties Green Party Main focus is environmental protection Now includes issues such as universal healthcare, campaign finance reform, and limits on corporate power in the party platform Greatest Success: 2000 Presidential Election (Ralph Nader won 2.74% of the popular vote)

Types of Third Parties Single-Issue Parties: parties that focus on a single public question Examples: Free Soil Party (1848), Cannabis Party, Prohibition Party Economic protest parties Form during poor economic times Supporters often dissatisfied with current economic conditions and demanding better times, are frustrated with the major parties Examples: Populist Party, Tea Party (faction of the Republican Party)

Types of Third Parties Splinter Parties: parties that have split away from one of the major parties Most have formed around a strong personality Examples: Theodore Roosevelt’s “Bull Moose” Progressive Party in 1912, George Wallace’s American Independent Party in 1968

Importance of Third Parties They have influenced how some things are done by parties Example: Anti-Masonic Party was the first to use a national convention in 1831 to nominate their candidate for President Spoiler role: a third party candidate can still pull enough support away from one of the major parties to affect the outcome of the election Examples: Roosevelt in 1912, Perot in 1992, Nader in 2000

Importance of Third Parties Political Innovation they have been ready, willing, and able to take quite clear stands on controversial issues important issues of American politics were first brought to the public’s attention by a minor party Examples: direct election of senators, progressive income tax

Disadvantages of Third Parties If their main leader leaves the party, support for that party ends Ballot access is not guaranteed They are unable to attract big time donors to financially compete with the Republicans and Democrats The single-member district and winner take all aspects of our electoral system do not favor third parties

Multi-Party Systems Have several major parties and many minor parties Parties are more ideological and have fewer factions than American parties