Minor PartiesMinor Parties

aka Third Partiesaka Third Parties

Types of Minor PartiesTypes of Minor Parties

IdeologicalIdeologicalHave a comprehensive set of viewsHave a comprehensive set of viewsOften radical or reactionaryOften radical or reactionaryMost enduring type Most enduring type

yet never won a state in a presidential electionyet never won a state in a presidential election

Examples (in USA) include:Examples (in USA) include:SocialistSocialistCommunistCommunistLibertarianLibertarian

Types of Minor PartiesTypes of Minor Parties

Single-Issue PartiesSingle-Issue PartiesAddress one concern Address one concern Usually against somethingUsually against somethingAvoid other issuesAvoid other issuesExamplesExamples

Prohibition – didn’t work, but still tryingProhibition – didn’t work, but still tryingAmerican “Know-nothing” – anti-immigrationAmerican “Know-nothing” – anti-immigrationFree Soil – anti-slaveryFree Soil – anti-slavery

Types of Minor PartiesTypes of Minor Parties

Economic ProtestEconomic ProtestRegional issuesRegional issuesFarmer-labor partiesFarmer-labor partiesUsually during economic depressionsUsually during economic depressionsExamplesExamples

GreenbackGreenbackPopulistPopulistTea PartyTea Party

Types of Minor PartiesTypes of Minor Parties

Factional, Splinter, Bolter PartiesFactional, Splinter, Bolter PartiesSplit from Major Party Split from Major Party Discontented leaderDiscontented leaderExamplesExamples

Bull Moose(1912) – Teddy RooseveltBull Moose(1912) – Teddy RooseveltDixiecrat(1948) – Strom ThurmondDixiecrat(1948) – Strom ThurmondAmerican Independent(1968) – George WallaceAmerican Independent(1968) – George Wallace

Recent Minor PartiesRecent Minor Parties

Green Party 2000 & 2004Green Party 2000 & 2004Ralph Nader Ralph Nader

Reform Party 1992 & 1996Reform Party 1992 & 1996Ross PerotRoss Perot

Independent 1980Independent 1980John AndersonJohn Anderson

American Independent 1968American Independent 1968George WallaceGeorge Wallace

Other Significant Minor PartiesOther Significant Minor Parties

Election of 1948 Election of 1948 States Rights “Dixiecrats” – Strom ThurmondStates Rights “Dixiecrats” – Strom ThurmondProgressive – Henry WallaceProgressive – Henry Wallace ““Dewey Defeats Truman” headlineDewey Defeats Truman” headline

Election of 1912Election of 1912 ““Bull Moose” Progressive partyBull Moose” Progressive party

Teddy Roosevelt 4.1m 88 EVTeddy Roosevelt 4.1m 88 EVTaft 3.4 m 8 EV (1908 7.6m 321 EV)Taft 3.4 m 8 EV (1908 7.6m 321 EV)Wilson 6.2 m 435 EVWilson 6.2 m 435 EV

Impact of Minor PartiesImpact of Minor Parties

Policy advocatesPolicy advocatesMost successfulMost successful

Women’s vote, Income Tax, Election of SenatorsWomen’s vote, Income Tax, Election of SenatorsSuccess may mean end if single issueSuccess may mean end if single issue

Safety ValveSafety ValveOption for the discontent. Option for the discontent.

Green, Reform & TeaGreen, Reform & Tea

Vote getterVote getterLeast success – Vote stealer?Least success – Vote stealer?

Vote Stealer?Vote Stealer?

Most Successful Minor PartyMost Successful Minor Party

Republican PartyRepublican PartyFormed in 1854 – single issueFormed in 1854 – single issueSecond in 1856 presidential electionSecond in 1856 presidential electionWon Presidency in 1860Won Presidency in 1860Became dominate party in last half of 1800’sBecame dominate party in last half of 1800’sStill around todayStill around today

Why Minor Parties “Fail”Why Minor Parties “Fail”Don’t winDon’t win

Exception – Minnesota 1998Exception – Minnesota 1998Governor Jesse Ventura – Reform PartyGovernor 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 groupMajor party reabsorbs the splinter groupTea 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 RooseveltBull Moose Party – Teddy RooseveltReform Party – Ross PerotReform Party – Ross Perot

Issue is solved or no longer problemIssue is solved or no longer problem