Minor Parties aka Third Parties Types of Minor

Minor Parties aka Third Parties

Types of Minor Parties l Ideological l Have a comprehensive set of views l Often radical or reactionary l Most enduring type l yet never won a state in a presidential election l Examples (in USA) include: l Socialist l Communist l Libertarian

Types of Minor Parties l Single-Issue Parties l Address one concern l Usually against something l Avoid other issues l Examples l Prohibition – didn’t work, but still trying l American “Know-nothing” – anti-immigration l Free Soil – anti-slavery

Types of Minor Parties l Economic Protest l Regional issues l Farmer-labor parties l Usually during economic depressions l Examples l Greenback l Populist l Tea Party

Types of Minor Parties Factional, Splinter, Bolter Parties l Split from Major Party l Discontented leader l Examples l l Bull Moose(1912) – Teddy Roosevelt l Dixiecrat(1948) – Strom Thurmond l American Independent(1968) – George Wallace

Recent Minor Parties l Green Party 2000 & 2004 l Ralph l Reform Party 1992 & 1996 l Ross l Perot Independent 1980 l John l Nader Anderson American Independent 1968 l George Wallace

Other Significant Minor Parties l Election of 1948 l States Rights “Dixiecrats” – Strom Thurmond l Progressive – Henry Wallace l “Dewey Defeats Truman” headline l Election of 1912 l “Bull Moose” Progressive party l Teddy Roosevelt 4. 1 m 88 EV l Taft 3. 4 m 8 EV (1908 7. 6 m 321 EV) l Wilson 6. 2 m 435 EV

Impact of Minor Parties l Policy advocates l Most successful l Women’s vote, Income Tax, Election of Senators l Success may mean end if single issue l Safety Valve l Option for the discontent. l Green, l Reform & Tea Vote getter l Least success – Vote stealer?

Vote Stealer?

Most Successful Minor Party l Republican Party l Formed in 1854 – single issue l Second in 1856 presidential election l Won Presidency in 1860 l Became dominate party in last half of 1800’s l Still around today

Why Minor Parties “Fail” l Don’t win l Exception – Minnesota 1998 l Governor Jesse Ventura – Reform Party l l Plurality (three way split) Ventura 37%, Coleman Rep. 34. 3%, Humphrey Dem 28. 1% Major party reabsorbs the splinter group l Tea Party Republicans – never left! l Or group switches party l Personality cult – not party l Bull Moose Party – Teddy Roosevelt l Reform Party – Ross Perot l Issue is solved or no longer problem