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Pros And Cons Of Third Parties

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Pros And Cons Of Third Parties
Third Parties:
The political system in America is known as a two-party system. Generally, two major political parties compete for office. “The first two political parties had their origins in the debate over the ratification of the Constitution – the Federalists and Antifederalists. Today, the Republican and Democratic Parties dominate electoral politics” (Mott). Both the Republican and Democratic parties have controlled the presidency since 1856. The total amount of third party candidates in American politics have been and continue to be particularly low. “Scholars have also pointed to… factors that… explain the decline of third party votes including: the prominence of single member districts; the electoral college and presidential system; the …show more content…
The party “regularly fields candidates for local, state, and federal offices in many states, and has established active state affiliate parties in nearly all fifty states” (Gunzburger). For the last four years, the Green party ditched the strategy of appealing to the ‘safe states’ and has attempted to run a more aggressive campaign. “If the Green Party manages to win a significant number of votes… history tells us the mostly likely outcome will be for one of the two major parties to adopt the Green’s policy positions to win the support of Green Party voters” …show more content…
“Third Parties in American Politics: Rich History, Many Roles.” Third Parties in American Politics: Rich History, Many Roles. U.S. Department of State, 30 Aug. 2004. Web. 20 Nov. 2012. <http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2004/August/20040830165442frllehctim0.307461.html>.

Gunzburger, Ron. “Politics - Director of U.S. Political Parties.” Politics - Director of U.S. Political Parties. Ron Gunzburger, 2011. Web. 20 Nov. 2012. <http://www.politics1.com/parties.htm>.
Hirano, Shigeo. “The Decline of Third Party Voting in the United States.” The Decline of Third Party Voting in the United States. Columbia University Department of Political Science, June 2006. Web. 20 Nov. 2012. <http://economics.mit.edu/files/1224>.

“IIP Digital | U.S. Department of State.” The Role of Political Parties. U.S. Department of State, 04 Jan. 2012. Web. 20 Nov. 2012. <http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/publication/2012/01/20120104152537ecurb0.382423.html>.

Liptak, Kevin. “‘Fatally Flawed’: Why Third Parties Still Fail despite Voter Anger - CNN.com.” CNN. Cable News Network, 21 May 2012. Web. 20 Nov. 2012.
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