1. Political Parties
Chapter 5

2. Section 3
The Minor Parties

4. Minor Parties in the United States
Ideological Parties – Those based on a particular set of beliefs – a comprehensive view of social, political, and economic matters.
Communist Party; Socialist Workers Party; Social Democratic Party; Libertarian Party
Single-Issue Parties – focus on a single public question.
Marijuana Party; Know-Nothings
Economic Protest Parties – Rooted in periods of economic discontent.
Greenback Party; Populist Party
Splinter Parties – Parties which split from one of the major parties.
Progressive Party; Dixiecrat Party; Tea Party?

5. Why Minor Parties are Important
“Spoiler Role”
Ralph Nader and the Green Party (2000)
“Critic Role”
Progressive Party (1912)
“Innovator Role”
National Woman’s Party (1913)
Anti-Masons (1831)