MINOR PARTIES
What is a “Minor Party”?
◦A political party that has such little strength in gaining
electoral votes that its chances of getting any
government control is significantly low.
◦aka any party that is not the Democratic Party or the
Republican Party
◦Also known as “3rd parties”
Types of Political Parties
◦Ideological Party
◦Single-Issue Party
◦Economic Protest Party
◦Splinter Party
Ideological Party
◦ Created and based around a particular set of beliefs
◦ Ex. Socialist parties, Libertarian, Green Party, Communist Party
For example…….
Libertarian Party
“Minimum Government, Maximum Freedom”
◦ Created December of 1971 in Colorado
◦ Emphasizes liberty and rejects heavy/moderate government involvement
◦ Social Issues – liberal
◦ Pro-gay marriage
◦ Pro-drug legalization
◦ Pro-immigration
◦ Economic/Government Issues – Conservative
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Free trade economics
Laissez-faire
“Invisible Hand”
Limited government
www.lp.org
Single-Issue Party
◦ Usually focus on one public policy matter
◦ Short-lived
◦ Arise out of issues relevant at the time
◦ Ex. Right To Life Party, Free Soil Party (1840s/1850s), American Party (“Know
Nothings”, 1850s), Green Party
Green Party
◦ Current phase created in 2001
◦ Focuses on pro-environmentalist issues
◦ However, has expanded
◦ 10 key values
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2.
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Grassroots democracy
Social justice/equal opportunity
Ecological wisdom
non-violence
Decentralization
Community-based economics/economic justice
Feminism and gender equity
Respect for diversity
Personal and global responsibility
Future focus and sustainability
www.gp.org
Economic Protest Party
◦ Created out of times of economic recession/discontent, and are generally short-lived
◦ Wealth redistribution, reducing government spending, changing economic system/currency
◦ Ex. Greenback Party, Populist Party, Tea Party
Tea Party, the “Tea Party Movement”
◦ Named after the Boston Tea Party (1773)
◦ Decentralized party (not a single uniform agenda)
◦ Self-described “grassroots movement”
◦ Not official party, many register as “Republican” or “Libertarian”
◦ Rose to prominence in 2009, and was vital in creating a more conservative revolution within the
Republican party (2007-present)
◦ Social = conservative (anti-amnesty, pro-life, pro-English)
◦ Focuses mainly on limited government, reducing federal spending
teaparty.org
Splinter Party
◦ A political party formed by a split from either one of the major parties
◦ Form around strong personalities
◦ Ex. The Progressive Party of 1912 (the “Bull Moose Party”)
Progressive Party of 1912/Bull Moose Party
◦ Created in 1912 by former U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt (orig. Republican)
◦ Split between Roosevelt and succeeding US President William Howard Taft (also
Republican); split between Republican Party
◦ Women’s suffrage (19th amendment)
◦ Direct election of senators (17th amendment)
◦ “New Nationalism” – gov’t protection of human welfare, property rights.
◦ Strong federal government
SO WHAT EXACTLY
ARE THEY GOOD FOR?
Absolutely. NOTHING, jk
Pros/advantages
◦ Allow for more diverse ideological representation
◦ Highlights certain issues that the major parties can latch on to
◦ Women’s suffrage movements (Soc.), child labor laws (Soc.), 40-hour work week (Populists), reducing
federal deficit
◦ Encourages the idea of “direct democracy” in the United States
◦ Usually have more direct power in local governments
◦ However, have also been able to influence candidates and national movements
Cons/disadvantages
◦ Not considered “serious movements”
◦ Not much longevity
◦ Split the vote
Ex. More conservative third party may take votes away from republican; more liberal third party may take votes away
from democrats
◦ Some consider them an extension of the Two-Party system
◦ Nature of third parties (single-focus, extreme left/right)
◦ Voters worry about “wasted vote”
◦ Media coverage/campaign funding
Successful third party campaigns
◦ Jesse Ventura, Reform Party & Independent, Governor of Minnesota (1999-2003)
◦ Ross Perot, Reform Party, 1992 presidential candidate (19% of the vote)
◦ Theodore Roosevelt, Progressive Party (Bull Moose Party), 1912 presidential
candidate (27.5% of the vote)
◦ Abraham Lincoln, ran as Republican against majority Democrat and Whig –
controlled government 1860