Minor Parties?

Question

Should minor parties serve as an increased role in the American Political scene? Why?

* good thorough answer will recieve 10 pts.

Answer 1

What began as the decentralized Committees of Correspondence evolved into a more centralized structure with a more traditional emphasis on electoral campaigns. Before the formation of a national party, early Greens were committed to an emphasis on educational projects and non-partisan activism. The idea of an "anti-party party" was formed by Petra Kelly and other leaders of Die Grünen in Germany. Their vision was a non-traditional organization in which electoralism would be the least important of the three components. However, in the United States the opportunity for ballot access became too irresistible for others -- particularly Marxists and those active in the New Left -- who began to move into Green parties during the early 1990s. A struggle for the direction of the organization culminated at the 1991 Green Congress in Elkins, West Virginia -- during which those who favored an emphasis on electoral politics began to consolidate power -- primarily through sheer numbers.

Answer 2

I believe that minor parties should get more exposure in the Political scene. Allowing them to participate in debates and lessening the restrictions to get on the ballot, I think, could help them go a long way. I don't know what you mean by 'increased role' for I believe some parties should not have a role in the government. I'm not saying they shouldn't be allowed to try, but I don't really want to have, say, the Nazi Party have a seat in Congress.

It would be nice to see more seats go to the Libertarians, the Greens, or even the Constitution Party, but the majority of the minor parties are pretty extreme.

So, I will say that I am for minor parties having more exposure, but not necessarily having an increased role in politics.

Answer 3

Yes, as a two-party system is showing to be ineffective and something that is very divisive. One side can get the majority easily and then vote on issues along party lines to push their agenda. People in America have become labelled as liberal or conservative, and many people ignore the fact there is a middle ground. There are now red states and blue states. People are seen as unpatriotic if they don't follow the majority.

I have heard somewhere that Europe has a political system where it is not uncommon for people of different parties to run together on a ticket, and many parties are involved in the process.

Minor parties may also provide new ideas and solutions that our current system does not have. If you have many ideals working together in an environment where nothing happens when people need to be able to work together, it may cause compromise or may change views in government.