What would it take to establish a viable third (political) party in the US?

Question

I'm pretty well fed up with only having two choices on the ballot and neither of them being any good.

Answer 1

The political process in this country has been locked down in favor of the two parties for a long time. The road for a third party would be extremely difficult. First, the democrats would have to fail miserably in the next couple of years for there to be any movement to a third party. Then, the public would have to organize massively in their discontent around another grouping and put the weight of their numbers behind it. If that were to happen, then a third party might be viable. But not without great numbers of people supporting it.

Answer 2

Good question. I've given serious thought to the issue myself. While it does seem that we are locked into a two-party system, it hasn't always been this way. As recently as Teddy Roosevelt we had a third-party candidate that realistically could have challenged the political order. In recent years we've seen a third-party candidate twice potentially alter the presidential race (Nader and Perot). Even in this election Lieberman successfully ran as an independent, although as a de facto Democrat against his own party's wishes.

I see two ways in which a third party, idealogically speaking, might succeed. The first is the most practical. Due to the fact that both Democrats and Republicans lean markedly to the left and right, respectively, during primary elections, only to scamper back to the 'middle' for national elections, does suggest that there is a significant position in the center that might be held by a third, centrist party. The largest problem I see with such as ideology (aside from the practical constraints) would be the inherent tendency such a party would have toward populism. While populism itself is an important force (see the Prohibition period), it does not provide a sound fundamental basis for a lasting form of government.

The alternative is a markedly different political ideology even further to the left or right of the current parties. Obviously, such a party faces very significant obstacles to overcome to become a significant factor nationally. On the far left the Green Party has demonstrated that a niche does exist for its platform; on the right Libertarians seem to represent a consistent segment of the population. Aside from the very significant national issue which might allow the empowerment of such a party, however, this remains a very unlikely option. For example, even if the nation were to become rampant with concern over global warming, the Democratic party would likely sidle a little further toward the left, eroding what otherwise would have been exclusively Green Party support. The only other challenges outside the center would have to come from essentially revolutionary forces: communism or socialism on the left, or fascism on the right. Essentially, not very sympathetic causes in the US these days.

Finally, the most practical difficulty, is in fact money and organizational power. This is not to say that a third party can't arise and succeed, for I do believe that in the right circumstances, a popular mandate might facilitate the establishment of a third centrist party within the next several political generations. The adaptability of the current parties and the tendencies of those parties to stray, or sympathize with, the moderate center of political opinion, should determine whether just such a party does arise and succeed.

Answer 3

The working class has no represntation in the US. The Dems. give lip service to them, but bottom line they represent "Corp. America" same as the Reps.
Unfortunately, they and the controlled press have done such a fatastic job in terrifying the US people when it comes to the word "Socialism", they never have to worry.
Democracy is nothing more than a beautiful concept that everyone in the world should be entitled to. However, it has one major flaw: It is the only door to capitalism.

Capitalism, and the human greed it fosters, is the terminal cancer that eventually consumes and destroys true democracy. People eventually become enraged at being raped by the rich and privileged, and rise up and revolt, and dictatorial government is the result.

The prime example of this simple fact is the wanton destruction of personal freedoms; the rape, murder, pillaging and occupation of other nations for their natural resources.

The real tragedy of all this is that despots like George W. Bush claim they are doing this to preserve democracy in the U.S. The fact is Americans lost their democracy the day he became president. There is a way to preserve personal freedoms and
democracy; it is called social democracy. Social democracy allows everyone to benefit, not just the wealthy. Social democracy is not communism.
That is the only hope I fear for your country.

Until then, I'm afraid the choise will be Tweedledee Dum or Tweedledee Dee.

Answer 4

An "election run-off" allowing each voter to select multiple choices in order of preference. In other words, if in a given round of an "election run-off," my primary choice is eliminated (having the least support), then my next preference of the groups that remain would be selected.

A lot more people would vote for other parties if they felt safe in knowing that given two evils (the Republicans and the Democrats in the case of modern America), their support of a less-known, but better alternative didn't put the "more evil" party of the two in power.
I agree that our current two choices aren't very good, but the only way to get me to vote for a third party is to allow me to choose my preferred party at every stage of an elimination "run-off." Otherwise, I would be throwing away my vote before the election comes down to the top two choices. If my vote is wasted, then my preference between the top two parties fails to receive my support (in the current system), and therefore holds a weaker position with respect to the "greater of two evils."

Answer 5

In some states we do have the Libertarian Party. As for another party forming, a platform, money, a viable candidate, followers etc.

Answer 6

a true centerist group that was truely carring about the working man and would push for risk reward, I.E. you make money largerly based by how much you actaully contribute to a company.

Also ending special rights and pushing for wild agendas that are aimed at a small subset of the population to when votes. No poll watching and just be a leader based on your campaign promises.

Answer 7

You're not alone, Doug. But the answer to your question is: a miracle. Politics is run on money and all the money comes from lobbies/corporations. It's in their best interests to keep the number of parties to a minimum so that they don't have to make "donations" to 3 or more warchests.

Answer 8

Do we want coalition government in the European model? I think not.... the two party system works fine at the federal level. Perhaps we could improve the quality of candidate we get, but the system is OK.

Answer 9

there are over 114 recognized political parties in the US. including some who's only line is to stand behind the legalization of weed. they are seriously called the "pot party" next time check out your facts before asking a question as lame as this.

Answer 10

M O N E Y and Knowledge of the Political Science part of
running for office and Knowledge of the laws of this country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!