Why isn't there a third party?

Question

It seems that most people are neither radical liberal socialists or conservative right wingers. It seems that most people lean to the left a little on one issue, but may lean to the right on another. (Bell Curve). So, why isn't there a third...more moderate party? Seems like it would be ultra successful. Why do we have to keep choosing the lesser of two evils?

Answer 1

It's really about money, just like getting into business with any major companies it takes lots of cash and winning the confidence of the people. But I would love to see one, I am terribly sick of these two also

Answer 2

There are some conservative Democrats, though not many. There are some liberal Republicans, such as Arlen Specter. I cannot think of another one.
There are third parties, such as the Green Party and Libertarian Party. Their candidates do not generate much interest, so they do not get elected.
Our two-party system works well, I think. We are nearing an election, and I am already tired of political ads on TV. Add a third party, and the ads will increase by 50%. Ugh!
The so-called moderates are fence sitters. They don't take a position or have an opinion on an issue and wait to see who persuades them.
On divisive issues like private health insurance versus government run compulsory health care system, there are only two positions. Ask yourself, what would be the moderate position on this issue.

Answer 3

The libertarians are our most notable third party. There are others like the green, socialist and even an American communist party. Other than the libertarians, third parties don't get much traction because the big two have rigged the system to make it very difficult for them. It is a shame. Fortunately if the democrats continue on their present path, I think they will self-destruct within the next twenty years. This will allow the libertarians to move in to their spot. We will still have 2 parties to choose from, but I think the political debate and process in the country will be better for all once the dems are gone. When it happens I will probably change my affiliation from repiblican to libertarian.

Answer 4

There are many other parties in the US.

The problem is, the way Congressional districts have been gerrymandered, and given how the electoral college is implemented, there is no reasonable possibility of a third-party ever getting the majority of votes. The two major parties have succeeded in effectively closing out all other opposition.

Even more amazing, the political parties have apparently managed to get around the basic concept of candidate voting. Take the Foley issue in Florida. Because of campaign laws, Foley's name remains on the ballot. But the Republican party has said that anyone who votes for Foley will actually be voting for whoever else the Republicans are now nominating (Negron). So, in other words, the ballots shouldn't even have candidate names, since according to the Republicans any votes cast apply to whoever the party nominates, regardless of whose name is on the ballot.

If that is allowed to happen, then so much for people being able to vote for candidates. It means that the two major political parties get to make up their own rules, regardless of what the laws say.

Answer 5

As others have pointed out, there are plenty of "third parties" (I'm a member of the Green Party myself), and the reason why these parties haven't made much impact is that the system has indeed been rigged by the two major parties (the "duopoly") to make meaningful third-party participation difficult if not impossible. (They like it that way, for one reason, precisely so that they can play the "lesser evil" card - "if you don't wan't *them*, you have to settle for *us*!")

Your question in particular, though, is about the need for a third party for "more moderate" folks who are not ideologues. I think you may find the Radical Middle movement of interest, along with the Unity08 effort.(see links below).

Ultimately, of course, we needto find a way to overhaul the politcial system and create a true multiparty democracy in this country. I mean, consider: they give us something like, what, SEVEN OR EIGHT DIFFERENT KINDS OF CHEERIOS to choose from, for crying out loud - why should we be satisfied being limited to only TWO political parties??

Answer 6

If you think the republican party is Conservative you've not been paying attention.

But to answer your question, the two parties Republicans and Democrats have an interest is not allowing any third party to be viable. For example both parties help pass laws that make it hard to get on the ballots f youre not one of the two major parties.

Answer 7

The real question is, why do people think the political spectrum is a straight line from Left to Right?

The fact is that it's not. To understand this better, go to http://www.lp.org and look for "the world's smallest political quiz".

You'll understand that there's a lot more political ways to be than just Republican or Democrat.

Answer 8

The libertarians have been around for several years and have made some decent showings in elections, particularly on the local/state level.

By philosophy I am pretty libertarian myself. The down side is that in spite of a pretty solid political philosophy, being one of the more viable 3rd parties they tend to attract a bunch of loony fringe types as well.

Answer 9

The Democratic Party IS the moderate party. If you don't believe that just look at one of it's former members, Lieberman, trying to kiss up to Dictator Dumbya. Where did THAT get us? The Greens are the the more progressive party. It's hard to think of how ANYBODY could be more right wing than the Repukes (with their drift toward dictatorship).... even Nazis. Down with Dictator Dumbya!!!

Answer 10

people are afraid that if they vote for a third party instead of their usual party (ex. the democrats), it will allow the party they dislike most (ex. the republicans) to be victorious

in other words, they don't want to support a third party unless it can win elections but a third party that doesn't have support can't become strong enough to win elections, it's a self-fulfilling prophecy, because they think the third party won't win, they don't support it and because they don't support it, it doesn't win