US POLITICAL PARTIES

DO POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE US HAVE A CLEAR LEADER? AND WHY?

NO AS THEY HAVE THE SEPERATION OF POWERS MEANING EVEN THOUGH THE PRESIDENT HAS A HIGH LEVEL OF AUTHORITY WITHIN HIS/HER PARTY THEY DON’T HAVE DIRECT CONTROL OVER THEIR PARTY IN CONGRESS.

WHAT ARE THREE STRUCTURES OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE US?

-NATIONAL COMMITEES

-STATE LEVEL COMMITTEES

-PARTY OPERATIONS IN THE CONGRESS(HILL COMMITTEES)

WHAT ARE THREE ROLES OF NATIONAL COMMITTEES?

-TO FORMULATE POLICY

-FUNDRAISE

-SUPPORT CANDIDATES

WHAT ARE NATIONAL COMMITTEES?

THIS IS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE PARTY THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING THE PARTY’S OPERATIONS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL

GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE PERFORMING ITS FUNCTION

FOLLOWING THE DEFEAT IN 2012 THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE CONDUCTED A ‘AUTOPSY REPORT’ CALLED THE ‘GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY PROJECT’ WITH KEY CHANGES TO REPUBLICAN POICY INCLUDING BEING MORE WELCOME TO HISPANIC AMERICANS.

WHAT IS THE COUNTER?

THEIR ROLE CAN BE OVERSHADOWED BY THE EXECUTIVE AS ALTHOUGH THE PRESIDENT IS NOT THE LEADER THEY STILL CAN ACT AS RESPRESENTATIVES FOR POLCICY. EG. FOLLOWING TRUMP’S SUCCESS IN THE 2016 PRIMARIES ‘BUILD A WALL’ WAS A KEY PART OF REPUBLICAN POLICY

WHAT IS FUNDRAISING IN THIS CASE?

WHERE NATIONAL COMMITTEES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR RAISING FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE PARTY’S OPERATIONS AND CAMPAIGNS.

GIVE AN EXAMPLE

BY 2024 THE DNC(DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE) HAD RAISED $385.5 MILLION TO SPEND IN THE 2024 ELECTIONS WHICH INCLUDED $2.5 MILLION ACROSS EVERY DEMOCRATIC STATE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY

WHAT IS THE COUNTER?

THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE CAN BECOME ENTANGLED WITH OTHER FINANICAL ASSOCIATONS ( CAMPAIGN FUNDS ORGANISATION) WHICH CAN LEAD TO CLAIMS OF CORRUPTION.

EG. IN THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DUE TO THE LARGE DEBT THE DNC WAS IN POST OBAMA THE HILARY VICTORY FUND ESTABLISHED JOINT FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES WITH THE DNC SPARKING CLAIMS OR CORRUPTION.

WHAT DOES SUPPORING CANDIDATES MEAN IN THIS SENSE?

NATIONAL COMMITTEES PLAY A KEY ROLE IN SUPPORTING CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR OFFICE BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT

GIVE AN EXAMPLE

IN 2024 THE DNC ESTABLISHED THE ‘ I WILL VOTE CAMPAIGN’ WITH MOBILE BILLBOARDS GOING TO NEIGBOURHOODS TO ENCOURAGE ETHNIC MINORITY VOTERS TO VOTE WHICH COSTED $7 MILLION IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THE ELECTION.

WHAT IS THE COUNTER?

THIS ROLE CAN BE OVERSHADOWED BY SUPER PACS AS THEY OFTEN HAVE MORE ACCESS TO MONEY AS THEY ARE CONTROLLED BY WEALTHY ELITES

-EG. MUSKS’ AMERICA PAC CLAIMS TO HAVE KNOCKED ON 10 MILLION DOORS WITH 2500 PAID CANVASSERS IN 7 BATTLEGROUND STATES, A ROLE NORMALLY DONE BY THE RNC.

WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF STATE COMMITTEES?

THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING STATE OPERATIONS IN THAT STATE ESPECIALLY DURING STATE PRIMARIES AND ELECTIONS.

GIVE AN EXAMPLE

IN TEXAS THE LEGISLATURE CONTROLLED BY REPUBLICANS MADE BALLOT ACCESS LAWS TO DECIDE WHICH INDIVIDUALS GET PUT ON THE PRIMARY BALLOTS. THIS INCLUDED THE FACT YOU NEED 2% OF THE VOTES CAST FOR GOVERNER IN THE DISTRICT IN THE LAST ELECTION+ $3125 FILING FEE.

WHAT ARE HILL COMMITTEES?

THESE ARE 4 COMMITTEES THAT AIM TO GET THEIR PARTY ELECTED TO CONGRESS ON CAPITOL HILL. THEY COORDINATE CAMPAIGNS AND DONORS TO BEAT OPPONENTS.

GIVE AN EXAMPLE

IN 2024 THE DEMOCRATIC SENATORIAL COMMITTEE SPENT $21 MILLION AGAINST DAVE MCCORMICK( REPUBLICAN) TO TRY AND WIN A DEMOCRAT SEAT IN THE SENATE IN PENNSYLVANIA.

WHAT ARE THREE MAJOR IDEOLOGICAL CHANGES TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY?

-THE NEW DEAL COALITION 1932-1980

-NEW RIGHT IDEALS OF THE 1990S

-2000s ONWARDS

WHAT WAS THE NEW DEAL COALITION?

UNDER PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT THE DEMOCRATS ADOPTED NEW DEAL POLICIES AIMED TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION, CREATING A STRONG ROLE FOR THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT(KEYNESIAN ECONOMICS)

GIVE AN EXAMPLE

THE NEW DEAL INCLUDED THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT 1935 WHICH CREATED PENSIONS AND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE. FEDERAL SPENDING ALSO ROSE SIGNIFICANTLY AND PROGRAMMES LIKE THE WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION DIRECTLY CREATED MILLIONS OF JOBS.

HOW SIGNIFICANT WAS IT AS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY?

VERY SIGNIFICANT: THE PARTY WAS COMPLETELY WAS RESHAPED FROM A MORE LIMITED GOVERNMENT PARTY TO ONE COMMITTED TO FEDERAL INTERVENTION WITH STRONG TIES TO THE WORKING CLASS AND UNIONS.

WHAT WAS THE NEW RIGHT IDEALS OF THE 1990S?

UNDER PRESIDENT CLINTON THE DEMOCRATS BEGAN TO TAKE ON MORE CONSERVATIVE ECONOMIC IDEAS, FOCUSING ON ECONOMIC GROWTH RATHER THAN WELFARE

GIVE AN EXAMPLE

HIS POLICIES INCLUDED THE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND WORK OPPORTUNITY RECONCILIATION ACT 1996 ENDING THE FEDERAL GUARANTEE OF WELFARE AND MARKING A CLEAR BREAK FROM EARLIER EXPANSIONISM. HIS ADMINISTRATION ACHIEVED A BUDGET SURPLUS BY 1998 , MARKING THE END OF HIGH GOV SPENDING .

HOW SIGNIFICANT WAS THIS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY?

IT WAS IMPORTANT BUT IT WAS MORE OF A MODERATION THAN A COMPLETE SHIFT THEY DID NOT COMPLETELY ABANDON THE NEW DEAL FRAMEWORK THEY STILL SUPPORTED SOME GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION BUT WERE PRIORITISING WINNING BACK MIDDLE CLASS VOTERS FOLLOWING LOSSES IN THE 1980s .ELECTION.

WHAT WAS THE DEMOCRATS LIKE IN THE 2000S OWNARDS

THEY BECAME MORE FOCUSED ON SOCIAL ISSUES, SUPPORTING MARRIAGE EQUALITY AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

GIVE AN EXAMPLE

UNDER BARACK OBAMA THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WAS CREATED WHICH HELPED TO EXTEND THE COVERAGE OF HEALTHCARE WHILE STILL UNDER A MARKET SYSTEM.HENCE , HELPING 20 MILLION PEOPLE AND ALLOWING THEM TO STAY ON PARENTS’ INSURANCE UNTIL 26 YRS OLD.

HOW SIGNIFICANT WAS THIS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY?

THIS WAS ALSO VERY SIGNIFICANT AS A REASSERTION FOR THE DEMOCRATS. THEY FELL BACK TO THEIR NEW DEAL 1930S IDEOLOGY POST CLINTON ERA.

WHAT WERE THREE IDEOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY?

-PROGRESSIVE ERA( 1896-1932)

-NEW RIGHT CHANGE

-2000s +

WHAT WAS THE PROGRESSIVE ERA?

THIS WAS A PERIOD OF PROGRESSIVE IDEALS FOR THE REPUBLICANS. THEY SUPPORTED HEAVY GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO REGULATE BIG BUSINESSES.

GIVE AN EXAMPLE

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT INTRODUCED THE SQUARE DEAL REFORMS : HE USED THE SHERMAN ANTITRUST ACT(1890) TO BREAK UP LARGE MONOPOLIES LIKE THE NORTHERN SECURITY COMPANY WHICH WAS A RAILROAD MONOPOLY. HE ALSO ENFORCED STANDARDS IN CONSUMPTION TO PROTECT CONSUMERS

HOW SIGNIFICANT WAS THIS PERIOD AS PART OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY DEVELOPMENT

THIS PERIOD WAS IMPORTANT AS IT RESHAPED THE PARTY’S IMAGE FROM SIMPLY PRO- BUSINESS TO ONE THAT COULD CHAMPION GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION AND PROTECT THE PUBLIC.

WHAT WAS THE NEW RIGHT ERA FOR REPUBLICANS?

THIS WAS A SUBSTANTIAL SHIFT UNDER REAGAN TO FOCUS MORE ON FREE MARKET ECONOMICS , TAX CUTS AND SOCIAL CONSERVATISM ( NO ABORTION ETC)

GIVE AN EXAMPLE

REAGAN INTRODUCED THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY TAX ACT 1981 WHICH CUT THE TOP MARGINAL INCOME TAXES FROM 70% TO 50% AND SLASHED CORPORATE TAXES AS PART OF THE ERA OF ‘REAGANOMICS’. HE ALSO ALIGENED WITH THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT WHEREBY THEY OPPOSED ABORTION AND SUPPORTED SCHOOL PRAYER.

HOW SIGNIFICANT WAS THIS PERIOD FOR REPUBLICANS?

THIS WAS A DEFINING REALIGNMENT FOR THE REPUBLICANS WHEREBY THEY ESTBALISHED THE GOP’S LONG TERM IDENTITY.

WHAT WERE THE REPUBLICANS LIKE POST 2000s?

UNDER TRUMP REPUBLICANS BEGAN TO MOVE TOWARDS ECONOMIC NATIONALISM AND POPULISM , ALONG WITH FREE MARKET POLITICS.

GIVE AN EXAMPLE

IN 2025 TRUMP HAS PURSUED HARSH TARIFF MEASURES ON OTHER COUNTRIES INCLUDING A 25% TARIFF ON CHINESE IMPORTS . ALONGSIDE THIS REPUBLICAN LEADERS HAVE BACKED MAJOR BUDGET CHANGES LIKE THE REPUBLICAN ‘MEGABILL’ THAT CUTS SOCIAL PROGRAMMES.

IS THIS SIGNIFICANT TO THE IDEOLOGICAL CHANGES FOR THE REPUBLICANS?

YES BUT NOT A COMPLETE IDEOLOGICAL RESET BUT AN ADDITION TO THE ALREADY CONCRETE REPUBLICAN IDEALS.

WHAT KEY POLICY AREAS SHOULD YOU ASSESS FOR A QUESTION AROUND POLICY ETC?

-THE ECONOMY

-IMMIGRATION

-FOREIGN AFFAIRS

WHY ARE THERE ECONOMIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS?

REPUBLICANS FAVOUR LOW TAXES AND DEREGULATION WHILE DEMOCRATS FAVOUR MORE INTERVENSIONIST AND WELFARE POLICIES

GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF REPUBLICANS SHOWING THE ECONOMIC PREFERENCES

THE TAX CUT AND JOBS ACT MADE BY TRUMP IN 2017 WHICH REDUCED THE CORPORATE TAX RATE FROM 35% TO 21%. THIS WAS THE LARGER TAX CUT SINCE THE REAGAN ERA. IT WAS ALSO PROJECTED TO MAKE $1.5 TRILLION IN 10 YEARS.

WHAT ABOUT THE DEMOCRATS?

THE INFASTRUCTURE, INVESTMENTS AND JOBS ACT 2021 MADE BY JOE BIDEN. THEY ALLOCATED $1.2 TRILLION DOLLARS INCLUDING $550 BILLION DOLLARS IN NEW FEDERAL SPENDING OVER 5 YEARS. THIS WAS EXPECTED TO CREATE MILLIONS OF JOBS AND IMPROVE NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS.

WHAT ARE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATS VIEWS ON IMMIGRATION?

REPUBLICANS FAOUR STRICT BORDER ENFORCEMENT AND TIGHTER IMMIGRATION LAWS. MEANWHILE REPUBLICANS SUPPORT HUMANITARIAN AND FLEXIBLE POLICIES ON IMMIGRATION.

GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF THE REPUBLICANS POLICY UNDER IMMIGRATION

IN 2025 THE REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION DRAMATICALLY EXPANDED ICE’S ROLE IN IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. THIS INCLUDED NEARLY 20,000 ARRESTS MADE IN THE DC ,MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA REGION ALONE. ALSO PREVIOUSLY REPUBLICANS HAVE ALSO PROMOTED THE BUILDING OF WALL ALONG MEXICO AND PUT BANS ON CERTAIN COUNTRIES.

GIVE AN EXAMPLE FOR DEMOCRATS VIEW ON IMMIGRATION.

UNDER OBAMA DACA WAS MADE IN 2012( DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS). THIS PROTECTS UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME TO THE US AS CHILDREN CALLED DREAMERS FROM DEPORTATION AND GIVES THEM WORK AUTHORIZATION.

GIVE AN EXAMPLE FOR REPUBLICAN’S VIEW ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS

IN 2025 REPUBLICANS HAVE PUSHED AN ‘AMERICA FIRST’ APPROACH. THIS INCLUDED OPPOSING LARGE SCALE SPENDING FOR UKRAINE. REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS DELAYED AND RESTRICTED UKRAINE AID PACKAGES AND TRUMP SAID HE WOULD END THE WAR QUICKLY WITHOUT NEGOTIATION. THIS SHOWS THE END OF INTERVENSIONISM.

GIVE AN EXAMPLE TO SHOW THE DEMOCRATS VIEW ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS

FROM 2022 TO 2025 THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION APPROVED MULTIPLE LARGE SCALE PACKAGES INCLUDING A £61 BILLION UKRAINE AID PACKAGE PASSED IN APRIL 2024. BIDEN ALSO WORKED CLOSELY WITH NATO ALLIES TO COORDINATE SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA.

WHAT ARE FACTIONS IN THE US?

FACTIONS ALSO KNOWN AS CONGRESSIONAL CAUCASES ARE GROUPS WITHIN PARTIES THAT HAVE A SHARED IDEOLOGY.

WHAT ARE THREE REPUBLICAN FACTIONS?

-TUESDAY GROUP

-REPUBLICAN STUDY COMMITTEE

-MAGA /TRUMPISTS

WHAT IS THE TUESDAY GROUP?

THIS IS A GROUP FOCUSED ON FURTHERING A CENTRIST , PRAGMATIC REPUBLICAN AGENDA TO ACHIEVE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.

GIVE AN EXAMPLE

THE GROUP WAS INFLUENTIAL IN PREVENTING THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY FROM APPEALING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT IN MARCH 2017. CLASHING WITH THE FREEDOM CAUCAS, THEY FORCED THE PARTY TO INTRODUCE AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT ,PROVIDING AN EXTRA 8 BILLION FOR STATES.

HOW SIGNIFICANT ARE THEY TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY?

THE TUESAY GROUP HAS DECLINED IN INLFUENCE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AS THEIR NUMBERS HAVE SHRUNK DUE TO THE SWING TO POPULISM UNDER DJ TRUMP.

EG. THE REPUBLICAN SPEAKERSHIP BATTLES OF 2023 WHERE MODERATE REPUBLICANS COULD NOT CONTROL OUTCOMES MEANWHILE THE FREEDOM CAUCAS COULD BLOCK CONCESSIONS.

WHAT IS THE REPUBLICAN STUDY COMMITTEE?

THIS IS A GROUP FOCUSED ON PROMOTING AN AGENDA LIMITING GOVERNMENT, STRENGTHENING NATIONAL DEFENCE AND PRESERVING VALUES.

GIVE AN EXAMPLE

IN 2024 THE RSC RELEASED ITS ‘FISCAL SANITY TO SAVE AMERICA ‘ BUDGET. THIS PLAN PROPOSED MAJOR FEDERAL SPENDING CUTS INLCUDING REFORMS TO WELFARE AND ROLLING BACK GREEN ENERGY SUBSIDIES INTORUDCED UNDER BIDEN TO DECREASE THE GOV SIZE.

HOW SIGNIFICANT ARE THEY?

VERY AS THEY ARE THE LARGEST CAUCAS WITH LOTS OF REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS BEING PART OF THEM WHO ALIGN THEMSELVES WITH CORE REPUBLICAN VALUES.

WHO ARE MAGA?

A TRUMP FOCUSED GROUP FORMED AFTER HIS ELECTION AS CANDIDATE IN 2016 WHICH REFLECTS HIS POLICIES INCLUDING US NATIONALISM.

GIVE AN EXAMPLE

FROM 2018 ONWARDS THE TRUMP ADMINSISTRATION HAS PLACED TARRIFS ON OVER $300 BILLION WORTH OF CHINESE GOODS AIMING TO PROTECT AMERICAN INDUSTRIES. THIS IS ALIGNED WITH MAGA ‘AMERICA FIRST’ POLICIES AND ECONOMIC NATIONALISM.

HOW SIGNIFICANT ARE MAGA TO THE REPUBLICANS

VERY SIGNIFCANT AND ARE TRUMP ALIGNED , HENCE HELPING THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT VERY LITTLE OPPOSITION.

EG. LIZ CHENEY WHO OPPOSED HIS POLICIES WAS REMOVED FROM HER POSITION AS REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE CHAIR IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WHAT ARE THREE DEMOCRATIC FACTIONS?

-CONGRESSIONAL PROGRESSIVE CAUCAS

-NEW DEMOCRATIC COALITION

-BLUE DOG DEMOCRATS

WHO ARE THE CONGRESSIONAL PROGRESSIVE CAUCAS?

FOUNDED BY NANCY PELOSI AND B. SANDERS , IT IS A GROUP THAT ARGUES FOR A FAIR ECONOMY BY RAISING MINIMUM WAGE AND REMOVING TAX BREAKS FOR RICH PEOPLE.

GIVE AN EXAMPLE

IN 2019 THEY PASSED THE ‘RAISE THE WAGE ACT’ WHICH AIMED TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE TO $15 OVER SEVERAL YEARS. THEY ALSO WANTED TO ELIMINATE LOW SUB MINIMUM WAGES FOR TIPPED WORKERS AND THOSE WITH DISABLITIES.

HOW SIGNIFICANT ARE THEY TO THE DEMOCRATS?

VERY SIGNIFICANT AS POLICIES ARE VERY CENTRAL TO THE PARTY WITH A LOT OF MEMBERS IN THE PARTY MEANING THE PARTY HAS TO SERVE THEIR INTERESTS TO GET SUPPORT.

WHAT IS THE NEW DEMOCRATIC COALITION?

THIS IS A GROUP FOCUSED AROUND PRO ECONOMIC GROWTH POLICES ASWELL AS INNOVATION AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE POLICIES.

GIVE AN EXAMPLE

THEY HAD A KEY ROLE IN THE ‘INFLATION REDUCTION ACT’ THAT PASSED IN 2022. THEY ACTIVELY BACKED THE BILL’S FOCUS ON LOWERING HEALTH CARE AND ENERGY COSTS , BOOSTING CLEAN ENERGY PRODUCTION AND REDUCING THE DEFICIT. THEY WORKED TO BUIILD CONSENSUS AMONG THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS.

HOW SIGNIFICANT ARE THEY IN THE PARTY?

THEIR NUMBERS HAVE LARGELY FALLEN DECREASING THEIR INFLUNCE OVER THE HOUSE.

EG. OUT OF THE 13 DEMOCRATS WHO LOST THEIR SEATS IN 2020 REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION 10 WERE NEW DEMOCRATS

WHO WERE THE BLUE DOG DEMOCRATS?

THIS GROUP REPRESENTS THE FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE WING OF THE PARTY BUT WITH SOCIAL LIBERAL POLICIES.

GIVE AN EXAMPLE

IN 2021 THEY PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE AMERICAN RESCUE NEGOTIATIONS ACT. THEY PUSHED FOR FISCAL RESTRAINT AND TARGETED SPENDING. AS A RESULT THE DEMOCRATS ADJUSTED PORTIONS OF THE PACKAGE INCLUDING THE TIMING OF THE STIMULUS PAYMENTS AND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS TO GAIN ENOUGH SUPPORT FROM BLUE DOGS.

HOW SIGNIFICANT ARE THEY?

VERY SIGNIFICANT

WHAT ARE THIRD PARTIES?

MINORITY PARTIES OUTSIDE THE TOP 2

WHAT ARE THREE WAYS THIRD PARTIES IMPACT THE POLITICAL SYSTEM?

-MAJOR PARTIES CAN ADOPT THEIR POLICIES

-ACT AS SPOLIERS

-RAISE AWARENESS ON IGNORED ISSUES

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY MAJOR PARTIES CAN ADOPT THEIR POLICES?

MAJOR PARTIES CAN ADOPT THEIR POLICES WHICH CAN RAISE PUBLICITY AND THE CREDIBILITY OF THE SMALL PARTIES

GIVE AN EXAMPLE

IN 1992 ROSS PEROT’S CENTRING OF HIS CAMPAIGN ON DEFICIT REDUCTION ENABLING HIS POPULARITY LED TO THE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS BOTH SPEAKING OUT IN FAVOOUR OF THIS POLICY

WHAT IS THE COUNTER?

DUE TO THE POPULARITY AND POLICY COVERAGE THESE MAJOR PARTIES HAVE IT LEAVES VERY LITTLE SPACE FOR THE SMALLER PARTIES TO EXIST WITHIN ANY DIFFERENTIATION FROM THE MAJOR PARTIES.

EG. DUE TO THE TAKING OF HIS POLICIES THERE WAS VERY LITTLE ROOM FOR PEROT TO EXIST IN 1996 LEADING TO A LESS SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN(8% FALL NATIONALLY)

HOW CAN THIRD PARTIES ACT AS SPOILERS?

THIRD PARTIES THAT ALIGN WITH A PARTICULAR IDEOLOGY CAN SPLIT THE VOTE LEADING TO MAJOR PARTIES LOSING OR RAISING SMALL PARTY INFLUENCE.

GIVE AN EXAMPLE

IN THE 2000 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RALPH NADER RAN AS THE GREEN PARTY NOMINEE AND RECIEVED 2.9 MILLION VOTES NATIONWIDE. THIS IS SAID TO HAVE TAKEN VOTES OFF OF DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE AL GORE LEADING TO BUSH’S WIN IN ONE OF THE CLOSEST RACES IN MODERN HISTORY.

WHAT IS THE COUNTER?

THIRD PARTIES DON’T ALWAYS ACT AS SPOILERS AS THE THRESHOLD TO SURPASS OR DISRUPT ELECTORAL OUTCOMES IS VERY HIGH MEANING THIS IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

EG. IN THE 2016 ELECTION CANDIDATES LIKE GARY JOHNSON AND JILL STEIN RECIEVED OVER 5 MILLION VOTES TOGETHER, BUT TRUMP STILL WON STATES LIKE WISCONSIN AND MICHIGAN MARGINALLY.