09-02-2004, 09:08 AM
As for the notion of third parties, they still can define political issues. Your example of the animal rights party proves this point, that minor parties aren't serious political contendors but extensions of media campaigns. Happens just as much in the bipartisan system.
Absolutely. Ross Perot picks up a big chunk of votes in 1992, taking potential votes away from George Bush (Sr.) resulting in an election win for Clinton. What happens in 1994? The Republicans take over Congress. How? In large part, by addressing the issues of the Perot voters. The agenda of the Republican Party was changed, not in a drastic way but in small ways, by the third party movement. It is a similar deal with Nader and the Green Party. They are too far out of the mainstream to actually win elections in most states, but if they take enough votes away from the Democrats then the Democrats *have* to shift their agenda to accomodate these voters.
But you don't need something as drastic as starting a new party to shift the agenda. There are other aspects, like the primary process. A good showing in the primaries for someone representing a certain issue will allow them to command some attention to that issue whether they win or lose. Also, since the different types of political viewpoints are flavored by region, the U.S. Congress ends up being very similar to a multi-party body with fluid alliances between groups.
Absolutely. Ross Perot picks up a big chunk of votes in 1992, taking potential votes away from George Bush (Sr.) resulting in an election win for Clinton. What happens in 1994? The Republicans take over Congress. How? In large part, by addressing the issues of the Perot voters. The agenda of the Republican Party was changed, not in a drastic way but in small ways, by the third party movement. It is a similar deal with Nader and the Green Party. They are too far out of the mainstream to actually win elections in most states, but if they take enough votes away from the Democrats then the Democrats *have* to shift their agenda to accomodate these voters.
But you don't need something as drastic as starting a new party to shift the agenda. There are other aspects, like the primary process. A good showing in the primaries for someone representing a certain issue will allow them to command some attention to that issue whether they win or lose. Also, since the different types of political viewpoints are flavored by region, the U.S. Congress ends up being very similar to a multi-party body with fluid alliances between groups.