Why do Single-issue Parties Tend to be Short-lived

Minor Parties Chapter 5 Section 4 Minor Parties in the United States • Some parties have been more regionalized • The ones that have been nation wide tend to be short-lived • Four Categories of Minor Parties 1. Ideological Parties 2. Single-Issue Parties 3. Economic Protest Parties 4. Splinter Parties Ideological Parties • Based on a particular set of beliefs • Many of these parties tend to be Marxist (Socialist and Communist) • The Libertarian Party is an example of an ideological party today (individualism and limited government) • Tend to be long-lived Single-Issue Parties • Focus on ONE public-policy matter • Take on important issues of the particular time period – Free Soil – Anti-slavery – Know Nothings – Anti-immigration – Right to Life – Anti-abortion • Usually short-lived because they fail to attract voters Economic Protest Parties • Rooted in periods of economic discontent • Usually attack the established financial institutions • Appeal to specific regions of the country • As the country recovered economically, these parties have faded Splinter Parties • Parties that have split away from one of the major parties • Most important of all minor parties • Most notably the “Bull Moose” Party in 1912 • Form around a strong leader • Have faded away as these leaders have stepped out of the public light Why Minor Parties are Important • Ideas and practices some time taken by the major parties – A minor party was the first to hold a national convention to nominate a presidential candidate • “Spoiler Role” – take enough votes away from one of the major parties • Being a critic and innovator • Force major parties to address controversial issues