Minor Parties aka Third Parties
Types of Minor Parties Ideological Ideological Have a comprehensive set of views Have a comprehensive set of views Often radical or reactionary Often radical or reactionary Most enduring type Most enduring type yet never won a state in a presidential election yet never won a state in a presidential election Examples (in USA) include: Examples (in USA) include: Socialist Socialist Communist Communist Libertarian Libertarian
Types of Minor Parties Single-Issue Parties Single-Issue Parties Address one concern Address one concern Usually against something Usually against something Avoid other issues Avoid other issues Examples Examples Prohibition – didn’t work, but still trying Prohibition – didn’t work, but still trying American “Know-nothing” – anti-immigration American “Know-nothing” – anti-immigration Free Soil – anti-slavery Free Soil – anti-slavery
Types of Minor Parties Economic Protest Economic Protest Regional issues Regional issues Farmer-labor parties Farmer-labor parties Usually during economic depressions Usually during economic depressions Examples Examples Greenback Greenback Populist Populist Tea Party Tea Party
Types of Minor Parties Factional, Splinter, Bolter Parties Factional, Splinter, Bolter Parties Split from Major Party Split from Major Party Discontented leader Discontented leader Examples Examples Bull Moose(1912) – Teddy Roosevelt Bull Moose(1912) – Teddy Roosevelt Dixiecrat(1948) – Strom Thurmond Dixiecrat(1948) – Strom Thurmond American Independent(1968) – George Wallace American Independent(1968) – George Wallace
Recent Minor Parties Green Party 2000 & 2004 Green Party 2000 & 2004 Ralph Nader Ralph Nader Reform Party 1992 & 1996 Reform Party 1992 & 1996 Ross Perot Ross Perot Independent 1980 Independent 1980 John Anderson John Anderson American Independent 1968 American Independent 1968 George Wallace George Wallace
Other Significant Minor Parties Election of 1948 Election of 1948 States Rights “Dixiecrats” – Strom Thurmond States Rights “Dixiecrats” – Strom Thurmond Progressive – Henry Wallace Progressive – Henry Wallace “Dewey Defeats Truman” headline “Dewey Defeats Truman” headline Election of 1912 Election of 1912 “Bull Moose” Progressive party “Bull Moose” Progressive party Teddy Roosevelt 4.1m 88 EV Teddy Roosevelt 4.1m 88 EV Taft 3.4 m 8 EV ( m 321 EV) Taft 3.4 m 8 EV ( m 321 EV) Wilson 6.2 m 435 EV Wilson 6.2 m 435 EV
Impact of Minor Parties Policy advocates Policy advocates Most successful Most successful Women’s vote, Income Tax, Election of Senators Women’s vote, Income Tax, Election of Senators Success may mean end if single issue Success may mean end if single issue Safety Valve Safety Valve Option for the discontent. Option for the discontent. Green, Reform & Tea Green, Reform & Tea Vote getter Vote getter Least success – Vote stealer? Least success – Vote stealer?
Vote Stealer?
Most Successful Minor Party Republican Party Republican Party Formed in 1854 – single issue Formed in 1854 – single issue Second in 1856 presidential election Second in 1856 presidential election Won Presidency in 1860 Won Presidency in 1860 Became dominate party in last half of 1800’s Became dominate party in last half of 1800’s Still around today Still around today
Why Minor Parties “Fail” Don’t win Don’t win Exception – Minnesota 1998 Exception – Minnesota 1998 Governor Jesse Ventura – Reform Party Governor Jesse Ventura – Reform Party Plurality (three way split) Ventura 37%, Coleman Rep. 34.3%, Humphrey Dem 28.1% Plurality (three way split) Ventura 37%, Coleman Rep. 34.3%, Humphrey Dem 28.1% Major party reabsorbs the splinter group Major party reabsorbs the splinter group Tea Party Republicans – never left! Tea Party Republicans – never left! Or group switches party Or group switches party Personality cult – not party Personality cult – not party Bull Moose Party – Teddy Roosevelt Bull Moose Party – Teddy Roosevelt Reform Party – Ross Perot Reform Party – Ross Perot Issue is solved or no longer problem Issue is solved or no longer problem