1. PowerPoint #2 “Third Parties”
Government Unit 2
PowerPoint #2 “Third Parties”

2. Essential Questions
What are challenges facing third parties? Do you ever see a way that they could break into the main stream of politics - why or why not?
2016 Tird Party Canidates:
Green Party: Dr. Jill Stein
Libertarian Party: Gary Johnson
Constitution Party: Darrell Castle
Transhumanist Party: – Zoltan Istvan

3. What are Third Parties?
Any party other than the two major parties is known as a third party
No third party has ever gained control of the White House
They have had success in Congress
Offices in lower levels of government
When smaller groups challenge the two major parties, they can change the outcome of elections

4. Three Types of Third Parties
Ideological
Single Issue
Economic Protest
Splinter

5. 1. Ideological Based on a particular set of beliefs
A comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters
Usually focus on overall change in society
Examples:
Communist
Socialist
Libertarian

6. Example: Socialist Party Socialist Core Values

7. 2. Single Issue Parties
Single issue parties concentrate on only one public-policy matter
The issue could be one economic, or one social, or one moral issue.
They are usually short-lived – only exist while the issue is important or until a major party adopts the issue.
Examples:
Free Soil - issue was against slavery
Prohibition – issue was against alcohol
Right to Life - anti-abortion
Transhumanist Party – death is a disease

8. 3. Economic Protest Parties
Third parties who base their political platform on economic problems
Examples:
Greenback Party
Populist Party
Tea Party

9. Example: Tea Party Tea Party Core Values
Illegal aliens are here illegally.
Pro-domestic employment is indispensable.
A strong military is essential.
Special interests must be eliminated.
Gun ownership is sacred.
Government must be downsized.
The national budget must be balanced.
Deficit spending must end.
Bailout and stimulus plans are illegal.
Reducing personal income taxes is a must.
Reducing business income taxes is mandatory.
Political offices must be available to average citizens.
Intrusive government must be stopped.
English as our core language is required.
Traditional family values are encouraged.

10. 4. Splinter Parties
These parties split from a major party because of a disagreement.
Examples:
Bull Moose – split from Republicans in 1912 (Teddy Roosevelt)
Progressives in 1924
Dixiecrats – State’s Rights Party split from Democrats in 1948
American Independent Party in 1968

11. Analyze the issues during this time period (1912)
Which issues do we no longer worry about?
Which issues are still “on the table?”

12. The Importance of Third Parties
Impact – “spoiler role”, critics or innovators, bring certain issues to major parties/public agenda, BUT take needed votes from the two major parties.
2016 Third Party Presidential Candidates:
Jill Stein – Green Party = 1,207,141 votes
Gary Johnson – Libertarian = 4,042,291
See next two slides for examples of “spoilers”

13. Two Examples of 3rd Party “Spoilers”
Ralph Nader
Green party candidate in 2000
Took votes from the democratic party
Florida was the tipping point for the victory of George W. Bush over Al Gore by 537 votes. Nader received 97,421 votes in Florida, which led to claims that he was responsible for Gore's Presidential defeat.

14. Two Examples of 3rd Party “Spoilers”
Ross Perot
An independent candidate 1992
In the 1992 election, Perot received 18.9% of the popular vote - largest votes received by a 3rd party candidate, - 19,741,065 votes.
Took votes from the republican party
He is believed to be responsible for Bill Clinton, a democrat, in winning the election over incumbent President Bush

15. Analyze the Libertarian Platform
Notice that Libertarians are in the Yellow area but the graph shows how their beliefs line up with Democrats and Republicans

16. Some Parties Start as a Single Issue Party, then Evolve to an Ideological Party

17. Analyze how the Green Party has Changed over the Years
2016 Green Party Platform
The first members met in 1984.
They were:
social ecologists
deep ecologists
eco-feminists
anarchists
Socialists
Most of their issues were focused around the environment

18. Challenges Facing Third Parties
Third parties do not get the media coverage needed to challenge the two major parties.
Third parties find it hard to raise money
It is very difficult to gain enough broad based support.

19. Third Party Candidates
Answer questions on the worksheet

20. Some of the U.S.’s Third Parties
Communist Party USA
Freedom Socialist Party
Party for Socialism and Liberation
Peace and Freedom Party
Justice Party USA
Socialist Action
Socialist Equality Party
Socialist Alternative
Socialist Party USA
Socialist Workers Party
Workers World Party
Working Families Party
Green Party
Libertarian Party
America's Party
Constitution Party
Independent American Party
American Solidarity Party
Citizens Party
Modern Whig Party
Reform Party of the United States of America
Unity Party of America
Veterans Party of America
United States Pirate Party

21. Essential Questions
What are challenges facing third parties? Do you ever see a way that they could break into the main stream of politics - why or why not?
2016 Tird Party Canidates:
Green Party: Dr. Jill Stein
Libertarian Party: Gary Johnson
Constitution Party: Darrell Castle
Transhumanist Party: – Zoltan Istvan