Third Parties

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Third Parties
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Do Now

• Third parties are like bees once they have
  stung, they die.
• Richard Hofstadter
• Explain what Hofstadter meant.
• Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

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David Broder Article

• What is Broders thesis in this article?
• 3. Name 2 things that happen when political
  parties do not function well?
• 6. What does it mean to split ticket? What are
  the consequences?

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Ralph Nader Article

• What are third parties?
• According to Nader, why are fewer Americans
  voting these days?
• 4. According to Nader, how can the problems of
  the two party system be solved?
• 7. How did third parties affect the 2000
  election?

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Minor Parties (Third Parties)

• I. Types
• a. Ideological parties comprehensive, radical
  view most enduring
• Examples Socialist, Communist
• b. One-issue parties address one concern, avoid
  others
• Examples Prohibition, Know-nothing

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Minor Parties (Third Parties)

• c. Factional parties from split in a major
  party, usually over the partys presidential
  nominee
• Examples Bull Moose (Progressive Party)
• II. Minor parties develop ideas that the major
  parties adopt
• III. State laws have made it very difficult for
  third parties to get on the ballot

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Minor Parties (Third Parties)

• IV. Electoral College system prevents minor
  parties from success because of winner-take-all
  system
• V. Factional parties have had the greatest
  influence on public policy

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Summary

• How do third party candidates influence the major
  parties and American politics?