why do third parties tend to be minor in the US?

Answer 1

Good question. It probably has more to do with the money associated with being in a political party. Third party candidates tend to be self-financed (Ross Perot) and most candidates don't have a personal fortune of his size. Therefore, most candidates join a party where they can get access to money,

Answer 2

Parties are backed by people with lots of money. People with lots of money are going to bet on a winner. This cycle feeds upon itself.

Most third parties are either fringe groups (Green Party) or appeal to a small constiuency (Libertarians). To win an election, you have to appeal to either big businesses, wealthy donors, or big-money PACs. None of the third parties can do this.

The most effective third-party presidential run in the past 20 years was Ross Perot's Reform Party, which Ross financed out of his own personal fortune. He got 19% of the raw vote, won zero electoral seats.

Another reason is that they always start at the top (President). If they are serious, they need to start at the bottom, win a couple of states, get their representatives into the House and Senate, and work up from there. But they all want to start at the top. If a centrist party were to concentrate on winning a couple of small swing states, they could create a group of 10-15 Representatives and 4-6 senators who would, in essence, control Congress. But nobody thinks long term this way.

Answer 3

Because the two major parties have abused their power by excluding the third parties from debates and force them to get tens of thousands of signatures on a petition just to get on the ballot.

1. We need to end the party system entirely forcing all candidates to run on the issues and only the issues.

2. Instate lifetime political office term limits to help eliminate corruption in the government. It is a lot more expensive to bribe a new representative every election verses the same bought and paid for representative that has been in office for 30+ years.

I don't care if it is sheriff, congress, dog catcher or president. Two or three terms of office in your life, then get out of my government.

Answer 4

They have never been given a platform to get their messages out. As the internet has made this more possible the states (under pressure from the federal government) have upped the requirements. This election in PA we don't have a single 3rd party candidate on any of the ballots not because they didn't want to be there, but because they have been increasing the minimum requirements for a candidate to get on the ballot (ie 100000$ in tha campaign fun, 75000 registered voter signatures, ect.)

Answer 5

Because people are deeply and truly stupid and accept what the 2 big power players tell them even though it is 100% Bullsh*t




For the good of America ALL political parties must be abolished. You can all call yourself a gang but you should have no OFFICIAL recognition as a party. Individuals should have to stand up and explain their platform and why..then it will be he/she who has better ideas gets the job not just who is the party of the moment

Answer 6

Lack of power. To be honest, after Project/Operation mockingbird, the Formerly-Free American press agreed to be a state-run media conglomerate. Since the USG is made up of one group posing as two political parties, the media were delegated the task of misinformation and propaganda in the USG's "Strategy of Confusion". To keep the corrupt and inept in power, pseudo-elections and other mock procedures occur, albeit with little input. Special Interests and big corporations put their money behind "both" parties, to garner favors from whomever is in power. With the Distractions and Confusion in place, the elite are usurping what tiny amount of choice is left in America. Smokescreens abound, enable the USG to divide and conquer, to convince the overwhelming majority of poor and working class to be duped by sexism, racism, flag burning, homophobia, wars, immigration, ANY DISTRACTION to keep the majority poor from turning against the minority rich, who supposedly represent you and me. Please note, my fellow Americans, had Gore or Kerry won, the same CFR (Council on Foreign Relations) and Trilateral goons would have received Cabinet Positions. THERE ARE NO DIFFERENCES IN THE PARTIES!!!!!

Answer 7

The modern political situation is set up so that it must be dominated by a two party system, however neo-cons are trying for a one party system, saying it will make government more efficient. Where the problem lies is with our founding fathers who never thought political parties would dominate like they have. What we need is a better representation government where several parties represent different philosophies, that is more efficient.

Answer 8

The two major parties are sufficient for most people however the fringe groups that are dissatisfied with the major parties form third parties made up of fringe groups usually united by one or two issues and thus don't have wide appeal.

Answer 9

Because the Republicans and Democrats have a monopoly on power in this country. A Republican would rather loose to a Democrat than a third party candidate, and vis-versa.

Answer 10

I think it has a lot to do with our system. In parliamentary systems, small parties can win some seats & extract concessions to support the govt. Since our head of govt (the President) is elected seperately, that opportunity doesn't exist.