The document discusses different types of minor political parties in the United States, including ideological parties, single-issue parties, economic protest parties, and splinter parties. Ideological parties are based on a set of beliefs, like the Libertarian Party, while single-issue parties focus on issues that fade over time. Economic protest parties emerge during times of economic hardship but disappear when the economy improves. Splinter parties break off from major parties, often formed around a strong leader. Minor parties can be important by acting as "spoilers" that siphon votes from major parties or serving as "innovators" whose ideas get adopted by major parties over time.

1. Ideological
Single-Issue
Economic
Protest
Splinter
MINOR PARTIES:
WHAT ARE THEY AND DO
THEY MATTER?

2. IDEOLOGICAL PARTIES
-- based on a set of beliefs
-- Liber tarian Par ty
-- elimination of almost
all gov’t functions
-- limited electoral success,
but long-lasting

5. SINGLE-ISSUE PARTIES
-- Fade as issues change
-- Free Soil Par ty (opposed to slavery – 1840s-1850s)
-- Know-Nothings (opposed Irish immigration – 1850s)

7. ECONOMIC PROTEST PARTIES
-- emerge when economy is bad
-- b o r n f rom a n g e r a g a i n st “ e n emie s” (Wa l l St r e e t , b a n k s ,
monetary system)
-- disappear when economy improves
-- Greenback Par ty (1876-1884)
-- Popul ist Par ty 1890s
Tea Party Occupy Movement

8. SPLINTER PARTIES
-- spl it from a major par ty
-- of ten formed around a strong personality
Republicans
-- “ B u l l Mo o s e ” P ro g r e s sive s 1 91 2 ( f rom t h e l e f t )
Democrats
-- He n r y Wa l lace ’ s P ro g r e s sive Pa r t y 1 9 4 8 ( f rom t h e l e f t )
-- St a te s ’ Ri g h t s (Dixiecrats) 1948 (from the right)

9. 1948 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

10. ARE MINOR PARTIES IMPORTANT?
The “Spoiler” Role
-- splinter par ties of ten siphon votes from a major par ty
-- 1912: Roosevelt splinters the Reps.; Wilson wins

11. ARE MINOR PARTIES IMPORTANT?
T h e “ I nn ovator” Rol e
-- take clear-cut stands on controversial issues. Why can they?
-- better ideas are absorbed by the major par ties
-- i . e . : wome n ’ s s u f f r a g e , g ay r i g h ts