Third Parties: “They Ain’t Got a

Chance”

Third Parties: “They Ain’t Got a

Chance”

Ross Perot: 1992, 1996 Ralph Nader: 2000, 2004

Third PartyThird Party

Any political partyAny political party

organized in atorganized in at

least a few states,least a few states,

other than the twoother than the two

current leadingcurrent leading

partiesparties

Any political partyAny political party

organized in atorganized in at

least a few states,least a few states,

other than the twoother than the two

current leadingcurrent leading

partiespartiesJesse Ventura, Independent Governor of Minnesota, 1999-2003

History of American Third Parties

History of American Third Parties

Third Parties in the U.S. receive great attention, but in fact “have not assumed the importance that all the academic attention on them suggests.”

Third Parties in the U.S. receive great attention, but in fact “have not assumed the importance that all the academic attention on them suggests.”

History of American Third Parties

History of American Third Parties

No minor third party as ever come close to winning the presidency

Only eight third party candidates have won any electoral votes

Only five, including Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 and Ross Perot in 1992 have won more than 10% of the popular vote

No minor third party as ever come close to winning the presidency

Only eight third party candidates have won any electoral votes

Only five, including Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 and Ross Perot in 1992 have won more than 10% of the popular vote

Types of Third Parties

Sectional Parties

Example: Strom Thurmond

and the Dixiecrat Party ran on a segregationist platform in 1948

Economic Protest Parties

Example: James Weaver and the Populist Party won over 1 million popular votes and 22 electoral votes in 1892

Ideology Parties

Examples: Socialist, Communist, and Libertarian Parties

Libertarian Party 2000 campaign ad

Charismatic Personality Parties

Example: Theodore Roosevelt and the Progressive Bull Moose Party in 1912

Specific Issue Parties

Example: Prohibition Party in 1892

Combination Parties

Example: George Wallace in 1968 (American Independent Party)

o Dynamic leader with a Southern base

o Anti-civil rightso Won 13% popular vote &

46 electoral votes

Purpose of Third Parties

Purpose of Third Parties

“The electoral progress of third parties is in direct proportion to the failure of the two

major parties to incorporate new ideas.”

“The electoral progress of third parties is in direct proportion to the failure of the two

major parties to incorporate new ideas.”

Ralph Nader and the Green Party in 2000

Purpose of Third Parties

Purpose of Third Parties

Though very rare, a third party may replace one of the major parties 1856, the Republican Party replaces the Whig Party

Though very rare, a third party may replace one of the major parties 1856, the Republican Party replaces the Whig Party

Lincoln-Douglas Debates, 1858

Purpose of Third Parties

Purpose of Third Parties

Third Parties have influenceMajor parties often take

on the ideas of third parties

In 1992, both the Republican and Democratic Parties took on Perot’s reform government ideas about reducing the deficit

Third Parties have influenceMajor parties often take

on the ideas of third parties

In 1992, both the Republican and Democratic Parties took on Perot’s reform government ideas about reducing the deficit

George Bush (Republican), Ross Perot (Reform), & Bill Clinton (Democrat) during

1992 Presidential debate

Purpose of Third Parties:

Purpose of Third Parties:

William Jennings Bryan, Democratic candidate for President, 1896

Once the major parties Once the major parties incorporate their ideas, incorporate their ideas, third parties burn outthird parties burn out

Populist Party platform Populist Party platform was assimilated into the was assimilated into the Democratic Party in Democratic Party in 18961896

What do shooting stars and third parties have in

common?

George Wallace, American Independent Party, 1968 Electionhttp://www.wku.edu/Library/onlinexh

Ross Perot, 1996 http://www.bartcop.com

Ralph Nader, 2000 Election

NADER VOTER

IN 2000

Nader & the Reform Party 2004

Ralph Nader Math Problem2004 Presidential Election