When would a third political party be viable in the United States?
366257
It is due to the system of participation.  The one in the states is called first-past-the-post or a plural majority, meaning if voted for Republican (AHHHH!), but a democrat got in (YAAAH!) my vote would be excluded and ignored.  However, in Europe proportional representation allows for every vote to be counted, and that gives rise to a multi-party system. So, sad to say the only way there's is going to be a third party system, would be to get off your arses and demand change.  Don't tell me, you'll do it right after American idol!! Joking, we Brits have the same crappy system.
270915
They already are, but it takes a long time for alternate parties to gain the momentum required to win higher offices.  There are many local and state offices being filled by members of alternative parties.  Ocassionally a third party candidate manages to get the majority of votes for a congressional seat.  It will be a long time before we see a third party president.
570256
Because two-party systems and lack of run-off provisions are inherently undemocratic, unsuitable for large countries and ones with lots of competing interests.\n\n"Why, orangemike," you say, "but the United States is a large country with lots of competing interests!"\n\nYes it is.\n\nIt is only since the First World War, when the two major parties acquired monopolistic control over the state and national legislative bodies, and started legislating all competing groups into permanent obscurity, that the United States has been without any viable alternatives to the major parties.  Prior to that, some places had as many as four viable parties, plus fringe groups.  (Wisconsin, for example, had the Republicans, Progressives, Democrats, and Socialists.)  Political scientists have strained long and hard to find excuses why this is a good thing, instead of a betrayal of democracy; most of them boil down to, "Don't rock the boat!"\n\nThere are several Yahoo! Groups filled with people who think this is an unhealthy thing. These include FAIRELECTIONSCOALITION, Voice4all, and instantrunoff (that I can think of offhand).\n\nThe obvious cures are: improved ballot access;  proportional representation; and instant runoff (the interests of the above three groups).
507326
The only way I see americans voting someone other than the two leading parties is if a third party were to break away from one of the major parties. It's happened before. The Republican party was started from the Whig party. I could see \nAmericans voting for a third party who had a platform of ridding the government of rampant corruption and getting us out of Iraq.
724657
Depends upon what you mean by the "fall" of the US. If you mean a departure from the Representative Republic that the Constitution and was based upon.....Quite possibly. The people of this nation were once a very independent and self reliant people. Now, with current politics as they are and politicians "buying" the vote with social welfare programs and the generalize apathy from the public I could easily see it happening. Without a strong 3rd party political party, I do not see a change from the course we are on.
1047554
Just be a good American, and which party you join will make no difference. It's like deciding between cherry or apple pie. They're both good, or both bad, depends on the lone of baloney you've heard.  Me ???  I'm non-partisan.
607311
I don't see a third party right now... if a party come out that "split" the lines of the two parties... it would be deadly... the "morals" of the Republican party with the empathy of the Democratic party...\n\nAnti-abortion, pro-education, pro-health care, for "morals," anti-terror, conservative spending, pro-environment, against the death penalty... while everyone may not agree with everything, the party would get a huge boost from people tired of the status quo... a leader who was charismatic and a few party changes by moderates like McCain, would drive it over the top...
713013
I don't know, but I don't like it.  That is why I oppose political parties.  If there were no political parties then polititians would be forced to tell people what they think on certain issues instead of just hiding behind the label of a party and having people vote on you based solely on your party.  Not to say that no one looks into a canidate before they vote but the number must be considerably small on both the republican and democratic side.  Because I know that America will never get rid of political parties I think that a third party is a good compromise because with a third party America is not split in half.  With a third party then all parties have more of a chance.  People will still blindly vote for their party, but this way at least every party would be more equal.
666382
We have multiple third parties in this country.  It's just that they don't have as much resources or funds as the Democrats and Republicans, so most of the time they end up being either regional parties or one-issue parties.
546671
It doesn't really matter now does it. The only hope for this country is if a viable third party candidate runs. The two major parties are totally out of touch with the American public, the constitution and the vision of our founding fathers.\n\n They both have their own agendas,Republicans-big business interests and big business interests(One track minds),Democrats-social programs and big business interests. The heart of America(The middle class) is left out.\n\n A good third party candidate is our only hope.\n\n I will tell the Dems this. If you put ANY candidate out there that supports pro-choice, you will lose. That is a no compromise issue. I know many many people that agreed with Democrats on many issues, as a matter of fact on most issues, but they would not and WILL NEVER compromise on that issue. That is so important to them that they will vote on that one issue only. As much as they may hate the candidate's stand on every other issue, it doesn't matter if he supports them on that issue. They will vote for him. Bank on it.\n\n Also the gay issue drives them crazy. These are not right wing religious crazies either. These are Joe and Sue six pack that doesn't want to see guys walking down the street holding hands and kissing. They don't want their kids to see it either. That's reality people. They are not homophobes. A phobia, by the way, is a fear. They are not afraid of them. They just hold the belief that that way of life is not moral and they don't want their child to see it. Believe it or not the parents have rights too.\n\n So everyone be forewarned that if the Democratic candidate comes out in favor of pro-choice and pro gay marriage they  will lose. Sorry, that's just the way it is. Those are the two issues that cost Dems the last two elections and THINGS HAVE NOT CHANGED. Those are no compromise issues! As much as you rant and rail and tell them that they are homophobes and are not allowing women the right to make decisions about their own bodies, it will not matter. It's not, as many Dems. so arrogantly think, that people don't get it or that they are backward or are religious loons. It's simply that they DISAGREE WITH YOU!\n \n Now don't get me wrong, my personal belief is that Bush is a loon and that Chaney is a truly evil person. I didn't vote for them. But I didn't vote for Kerry either. They were both awful. But people feel VERY strongly about those issues and they will FIGHT VERY HARD to make sure a candidate doesn't win who supports them. That has not changed! So as happy as you are about Bush's current free fall be prepared for a vicious fight.
958198
You're much better off trying to help the current 3rd parties (green, libertarian, constitution), they have been around for many years and still can't get on most ballots.
81656
yes the two main are Democratic Party (DNC) and Republican Party (RNC) Then the third parties  37 total. then the other parties..16!  But this is not the list of ones in history!
1155298
Anyone from a third party offering some common sense alternative to big business controlled government.  Someone who will reinstate the power and rights of individuals.
350264
It's actually fair. Let's say all the third party voters were allowed to vote in one of the primaries. They would vote for the absolute worst choice, so they could put him (or her) against their own candidate.\nAlso, the purpose of the primary for that party to choose who is going to represent them. If you aren't in the party, why should you have a say in who's going to represent it?
231197
There's a problem with your suggestion. It'll allow third parties to get in the mix and win seats. Unfortunately, since Congress is controlled by Dems and Repubs, none of them will vote in favor of it. I like the idea, but it won't pass through Congress.
591825
If the American voters do not wake up and start supporting some of the other political parties, it could be. Voters need to get ballet access laws changed so it is not impossible for a third or fourth party candidate to get on the ballet. Also, other candidates should be allowed to participate in real debates, not these 30 second sound bite exchanges we have had for the last 3 or 4 election cycles. Only when a third or fourth party is included will real compromise and laws that aren't made for the extremes be passed by our Congress. Also, it is way passed time to get rid of professional politicians.
84908
It's not likely for a couple of reasons.  First, campaign finance laws rig the system in favor of Demopublicans and Republicrats.  Second, if an issue championed by a small, independent party becomes big enough, one of the two major parties will take it over as their own.\nMore Americans should register as Independents - that's the American way to vote!