Minor Parties in the

United States

Who Are They?

• Libertarian

• Reform

• Socialist

• Prohibition

• Natural Law

• Communist• American

Independent• Green • Constitution

About The Parties

• Some Limited by Region or Issue

• Short Lived or Long Existence

• Single Idea vs. Broad/Practical Base

Four TypesIdeological, Single-Issue, Economic

Protest, Splinter• Ideological

– Long Lived– Comprehensive View of Social, Economic, and Political Matters– Marxist Link: Socialists, Socialist Labor, Socialist Worker,

Communist– Libertarian

• Single-Issue– Focus on one public-policy issue– Name Indicates Issue (Often)– Major issues often taken on by Major Parties– Short Lived – “Know Nothings,” Right to Life, Free Soil Party

Four Types Continued…

• Economic Protest– Times of Economic Discontent– Lack Clear Ideology– Speak Against other Parties

• Demand Change

– Sectional– Greenback Party, Populist Party (1890’s –

Railroad Ownership)– Any Examples?

Four Types Continued…

• Splinter Parties– Split from Major Parties– Majority of more successful minor parties– Bull Moose – Teddy Roosevelt – States Rights (Dixiecrat)– How Form?

• Often failed run in major party (strong personality)

– Often collapse when strong personality leaves

Green Party

• Began as Single-Issue– Environmental

• Now –– Universal healthcare– Gay/Lesbian Rights– Corporate Restrictions– Oppose Free Trade

Why Do They Exist?

• Alternatives to Major Parties

• Affect Individual Elections (Occasionally)

• Shape Public Policy

• NEW IDEAS

What do They Do?

• First Groups to use National Convention to Nominate (1831)

• “Spoiler Role”– Green Party (2000)

• Steal from Democrats

– Bull Moose Party (1912)• Steal from Republican

• “Critic” and “Innovator”– More Clear cut/Radical Stands– Progressive Tax, Women’s Suffrage, Pensions, Bank

Regulation