party system Flashcards
what party system does the US have
two-party system
types of minor parties
Green Party
Libertarian Party
Green party basics
Left wing, focus on the environment
250,000 registered voters.
Presidential Nominee 2020 - Howie Hawkins got 0.3% of the popular vote
Libertarian Party
Fiscally Conservative, socially liberal.
250,000 registered voters
Advocates minimal state interference. For individual freedom on social issues. Conservative on tax and the role of government. (small government, low taxes)
2020 Presidential elections – Jo Jorgensen 1%
what else are there apart from third parties
independents
independents - example
Bernie Sanders is elected as an independent senator for Vermont
2016: Evan McMullin ran as independent candidate in the presidential elections (0.3% of the vote and 21% in Utah) some independents are closely related to one of the mainstream parties
popular independents and third parties
1992 - Ross Perot independents 19.0%
2000 - Ralph Nader Green Party 2.7%
2016 - Gary Johnson Libertarian 3.3%
why are third parties in the US so weak
- FPTP
- The two main big tent parties
- Main parties adopt their policies when they become a threat
- Lack of media attention
- Lack of Funding
3rd Parties being weak FPTP
Electoral College votes only go to who has won the state. Ross Perot (independent) won 19% of the popular vote in 1992, but no Electoral College votes
main big tent parties - 3rd parties being weak
The two main parties contain a wide range of factions and views, and represent a wide range of interests and ‘voter coalitions’
Republicans: compassionate conservatives and moderate establishment vs. Tea Party, religious right, neo-conservatives and Trump populism
Democrats: Progressives vs New Democrats, Blue Dogs, Sanders’ socialism
Adopt their policies - 3rd paries being weak
Main parties adopt their policies when they become a threat. If, once in a while, a third party becomes popular, the main parties adopt their policies, making them redundant
In 1992 Ross Perot became popular attacking the budget deficit – Bill Clinton adopted some of his ideas when in government
3rd parties being weak - lack of media attention
Because they are unlikely to do well, the media largely ignore third parties
3rd parties being weak - lack of funding
Because they are unlikely to do well, individual donors, businesses and pressure groups are unwilling to donate money. Pressure groups are more likely to endorse a candidate who they see a good investment - someone that will win and represent their interests
Example - 2020 presidential election donations
Biden campaign - $1B
Trump - $780M
Jorgensen (Libertarian) campaign - $3M
How can third parties still have influence?
- They can make others lose
- They can influence the political agenda
- They can still get funding
minor parties having influence - steal votes
1992
Ross Perot - (independent) got 19.0 %. He was Right-wing 🡪 and took votes from the Republicans. Helped Bill Clinton (D) win. The difference between Clinton and H.W. Bush in popular vote was 5.5%
2000
Ralph Nader - (Green Party) got 1.6% of the vote in Florida. He was Left-wing 🡪 and took votes from the Democrats. Helped George W. Bush (R) beat Al Gore
2020:
3rd party candidates received 1.8% of the popular vote
3rd party candidates won more votes than Biden’s margin of victory in Wisconsin, Arizona,
and Georgia - Biden’s margin in the Electoral college was larger than the EC votes in those states