Are Third Parties Good for the American Political System?

           Most parties are rooted in social movements formed of activists and groups whose primary goal is to influence public policy, so to form a new party could be a difficult decision. Third parties usually originate for one of two reasons: to express an alternate political platform from those held by the major parties such as when the Dixiecrats, who believed in continued racial segregation, broke from the Democratic Party in 1948; or to launch an alternative candidate for public office, such as when Ross Perot founded the Reform Party in 1996, with the sole purpose of running for president. In these third parties, the e candidates that bear their standard, gain popularity and support based on dissatisfaction with the candidates and trends in the two major parties at the time. Despite their failures at the ballot box, they exert pressure on the major parties, and most influence election outcomes to some extent.
Those who may argue for the third parties in American politics may think about how third parties allow for greater diversity of opinions. They may often contribute a diversity of viewpoints and opinions. The issues promoted by third parties and the candidates that represent them can change political disclosure. They may also think about how third parties can provide useful solutions to political problems on the local and regional level. The smaller scale of third parties may allow them to address specific local and regional issues better than the major parties. The election of third party state governors, such as Jesse Ventura in Minnesota and Angus King in Maine, may suggest that third parties could be more successful on the state and local level than on the national level. In addition, they may argue that third parties encourage greater participation in the American Political system. The current electoral system can undermine participation by voters who might be inclined to support third parties, such as the Green party or the Libertarian Party. Electoral outcomes are representative of the interests and preferences of voters who support third parties.
Those who may argue against third Parties in American Politics think about how third parties act as spoilers rather than issue definers. It may not be realistic that a third party would get elected to the national level. The voting system in the United States may undermine the ability of third parties to affect the national agenda. They may also think about how third parties are often composed of political extremists who seek to undermine real politics. The rise of third parties such as the Dixiecrats or the American Communist Party undermine the ideal of compromise that characterizes the American political system. Emotional appeals used by political extremists my result in disenfranchisement and less participation in the political process. In addition, they may argue that third parties undermine the stability of the American political system. Political systems with large numbers of third parties may be more unstable than two-party systems. The greater instability in the political system can lead to lower levels of participation, higher levels of voter apathy, and greater polarization in American politics.