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Adoption or Oppression?
America is a country currently being dominated by two colossal political parties. This raises the question of why would a third party with no clear chance of winning the presidency continue to form and run. Throughout our history hundreds of third parties have popped up, and surprisingly a handful of the “fanatical leaders,” as they are considered by most at the time, actually have won a number of state and local elections. ... In all actuality, the new ideas and concerns raised by this never-ending flow of third parties are crucial to keeping the dominant parties in tune with their constituents. The main problem with the two major political parties, the Democrats and Republicans, is a fear to stir up any controversial winds. ... The dominant parties in turn rely on American People’s reluctfulness to change. They prefer to position themselves just out of the limelight in fear of voter disagreement, while the leaders of third parties spread their parties’ new ideas and concerns to the American citizens. ... Duquette best describe this process:
Third parties have never taken root in the United States because of the adaptability of the two majority parties; as soon as an issue seems attractive to voters—attractive enough, that is, to garner votes—one or both parties embrace its principles until there is no longer a need for the third party. ... Despite the fact that third parties never have achieved electoral success, their profound affect on American politics can not go unnoticed. ... The Progressive Party, earning the title of most successful third party in United States history, achieved many of their goals through the actions of their nemesis of 1912, Woodrow Wilson. ... The effects of the Greens have not gone without electoral success like the majority of third parties. ... This challenge being four major questions facing all progressive third-party activists: internal organization; electoral political participation; candidates; and balancing ideological purity and broad electoral appeal. ... 9
The next major reform based party was actually “born on TV” when Texas Billionaire, Ross Perot, announced that he would be forming a third party to satisfy the millions of Americans unhappy with the Republicans and Democratic parties. ... Although his organization was in the beginning a political party, the Reform Party, the group quickly converted into a self-styled non-partisan grassroots citizen watchdog group, a form designed to counter the negative feelings many Americans held toward the two-party system and, in particular, the parties’ aversion to issues. ... 11
In turn not all third parties have been for the increasing of social benefits of their fellow Americans. ... Throughout the 1800s there were countless interest groups and small parties preaching about the God given rights of equality to all men, the same equality that our constitution reserves for all men in the United States. ... 12
In light of all the accomplishments and new ideas either surfacing for the first time or just popping up to say hello once again, its hard to imagine where the American people would be without third parties.
Approximate Word count = 2521
Approximate Pages = 10.1
(250 words per page double spaced)
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