1. Any party other than Democrat or Republican
Third Parties
Any party other than Democrat or Republican

2. Two-Party System 1. Why does the United States have a two party
The electoral voting system, legal barriers to third parties, history and tradition, and political socialization.
2. Why do some object to the two-party system?
Undemocratic because it does not represent significant parts of the population and greatly limits the choices Americans have.

3. Coke and Pepsi
The two political parties are a lot like the two giants of the cola world, Coke and Pepsi. Although each wants to win, they both recognize that it is in their mutual interest to keep a third cola from gaining significant market share. Coke and Pepsi, many people have argued, conspire to keep any competitor from gaining ground. For example, in supermarkets, cola displays at the end of the aisles are often given over to Coke for six months of the year and Pepsi for the other six. Competitors such as Royal Crown face an extremely difficult challenge. The Democrats and the Republicans function in much the same way.

4. History of Third Parties
No third party candidate has ever come close to winning the presidency
Only eight third party candidates in history have won ANY electoral votes
Only five third-party candidates have won more than 10% of the popular vote

5. Theodore Roosevelt 1912 Election
Bull Moose Party (Progressive Party)-A splinter party-Republicans
27.4% Popular Vote
Won 6 states=88 Electoral Votes
26th President of the U.S.

6. Obstacles of Third Parties
Third-party candidates usually have to get thousands of signatures on petitions just to be listed on the ballot.
The state and federal governments, which make rules governing elections, are composed of elected Democratic and Republican officials, who have a strong incentive to protect the existing duopoly.
Third-party candidates often face financial difficulties because a party must have received at least 5 percent of the vote in the previous election in order to qualify for federal funds.

7. Impact of Third Parties
Introduce new ideas
Put issues on the agenda
Spoil the election (2000 Election-Gore & Bush)
Keep the major parties honest

8. The “Big Three” Parties
Libertarian Party
Green Party
Constitution Party
*Each have over 75,000 Registered Voters

9. Libertarian Party The Party of Principle
Minimum Government, Maximum Freedom
Vision: A world where individuals are free to follow their own dreams in their own ways, a world of peace, harmony, opportunity, and abundance.

10. Green Party
Grassroots activists, environmentalists, advocates for social justice, nonviolent resisters and regular citizens who’ve had enough of corporate-dominated politics.
Committed to environmentalism, non-violence, social justice and grassroots organizing, Greens are renewing democracy without the support of corporate donors.

11. Constitution Party
Mission: Secure the blessings of liberty and posterity at all levels of government and Constitution Party candidates who will uphold the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. The goal is to limit the federal government to its Constitutional functions.

12. Quiz on Third Parties
Which Third Party declares that their “foundation...is the Lord Jesus Christ”?
Which party believes in “total individual liberty”?
Which party believes that corporations have too much power in our government?
Which party is pro-gay marriage and pro-gun rights?
1. cons 2. lib 3. green 4. lib 5. lib 6. green

13. Types of 3rd Parties
Ideological Party: Parties based on a particular set of social, economic and political beliefs.
Single Issue Party: Parties focused on only one issue (ANIMAL LIBERATION PARTY)
Economic Protest Party: Parties whose members are united by anger over economic hard times and dislike for the major parties (TEA PARTY)
Splinter Party: Parties that have split off from one of the major parties

14. 3rd Party Activity http://www.politics1.com/parties.htm Third Parties
Research Parties (see below) provide a 1-2 sentence summary
Place each party on political spectrum (L M C)
Label type of third party (I, SI, EP or S)
Third Parties
Light Party Prohibition Party
U.S. Pacifist Party 7. Reform Party
Citizens Party Tax Wall Street Party
Socialist Party Canary Party
Communist Party American Nazi Party