Third Party Politics in the United States

Third Parties in the United States The term THIRD PARTY is used in the U.S. for “any & all political parties other than REPUBLICANS & DEMOCRATS” It can also refer to INDEPENDENT POLITICIANS not affiliated with any party at all & to WRITE-IN CANDIDATES. It can also refer to INDEPENDENT POLITICIANS not affiliated with any party at all & to WRITE-IN CANDIDATES.

Types of Third Parties in the United States 1.) IDEOLOGICAL : “Based on a set of beliefs; a comprehensive view of social, economic & political matters” – LIBERTARIANS, GREEN, CONSTITUTION, JUSTICE (LONGEST LASTING, LARGEST third parties) 2.) SPLINTER : “Parties that broke off from one of the two major parties” – BULL MOOSE, DIXIECRATS, REFORM (short-lived, centered around strong personality, MOST IMPACT on American politics)

Types of Third Parties in the United States 3.) SINGLE ISSUE : “Concentrate on a single public policy matter” – RIGHT TO LIFE PARTY, U.S. MARIJUANA PARTY, U.S. PIRATE PARTY (short-lived, tend to fade as major party steals issue) 4.) ECONOMIC PROTEST : “Rooted in periods of economic discontent” – GREENBACK PARTY, TEA PARTY (short-lived, tend to fade as economic issues fade)

Types of Third Parties in the United States Economic Protest Party?

Role of Third Parties in the United States “ ACT AS AN INNOVATOR ” Force the major parties to ADDRESS potentially divisive PROBLEMS ; PROPOSE government POLICIES & practices. Force the major parties to ADDRESS potentially divisive PROBLEMS ; PROPOSE government POLICIES & practices.

Role of Third Parties in the United States “ PLAY THE SPOILER ” If a candidate DRAWS ENOUGH VOTES away from a major party rival, it can prevent that party from winning an ELECTION. If a candidate DRAWS ENOUGH VOTES away from a major party rival, it can prevent that party from winning an ELECTION.

“ KEEP ‘EM HONEST ” Candidates can speak more OPENLY than their major party rivals, ADDRESSING FACTS & ISSUES that they would often IGNORE. Candidates can speak more OPENLY than their major party rivals, ADDRESSING FACTS & ISSUES that they would often IGNORE. Role of Third Parties in the United States

Moral Victories? “Successful” Attempts at the Presidency 1860 – Southern Democrat, JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE, 18.1% (72 electoral votes)

Moral Victories? “Successful” Attempts at the Presidency 1912 – Progressive, TEDDY ROOSEVELT, 27.5% (88 electoral votes – last time a third party candidate came in 2 nd place)*

Moral Victories? “Successful” Attempts at the Presidency 1948 – DixieCrats, STROM THURMOND, 2.4% (39 electoral votes)

Moral Victories? “Successful” Attempts at the Presidency 1968 – American Independent, GEORGE WALLACE, 13.5% (46 electoral votes)

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Moral Victories? “Successful” Attempts at the Presidency 1992 – Reform, ROSS PEROT, 18.9% (0 electoral votes – most popular votes ever by a third party candidate)*

Third Party Success! Notable Third Party Politicians in the U.S. Bill Walker (I) Governor of Alaska Angus King (I) Senator from Maine Bernie Sanders (I) Senator from Vermont None in the OHIO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Third Party Politics The “Big Three” in the United States LIBERTARIAN PARTY Laissez-faire economics Laissez-faire economics Strong civil-liberties Strong civil-liberties Minimally regulated migration Minimally regulated migration Non-intervention in foreign policy Non-intervention in foreign policy Freedom of trade Freedom of trade Freedom of travel Freedom of travel

Third Party Politics The “Big Three” in the United States GREEN PARTY Sustainable U.S. Sustainable U.S. Alternative energy Alternative energy Environmental protection Environmental protection Opposition to big business Opposition to big business Universal health-care Universal health-care

CONSTITUTION PARTY Pro-life & anti-gun control Pro-life & anti-gun control Anti-tax & anti-immigration Anti-tax & anti-immigration Trade protectionist Trade protectionist Anti-United Nations Anti-United Nations Anti-gay rights & anti-welfare Anti-gay rights & anti-welfare Pro-school prayer Pro-school prayer Third Party Politics The “Big Three” in the United States