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What do you think of a Third Party in the United States?

Do you think we need a Third Party in America?


  • Total voters
    37

Progressive86

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I think we do need a strong Third Party because it's something that'll keep the two major parties we have now honest.
 
Not American but I think the US does need a third strong party.

Two of the parties can be relatively mainstream, and the one somewhat more on the fringe
 
I think we need a strong third, fourth, fifth, and sixth party in the U.S. Unfortunately, nothing is ever going to change until we change our voting system. Plurality voting systems naturally tend to a two-party system (Duverger's Law). Change our system to something like Instant Run-off Voting and the chances for other parties to get elected increase dramatically.

But, then again, there's another problem with our government system. Only one politician can be elected to one congressional district, despite both Democrats, Republicans, and any other third-party members living there. So if a Green congressman gets elected he'll also have to represent the Republicans and Democrats who are constituents in his district. This is the problem with having single-member districts instead of a national proportional system.

Then again, I rather like districts since it allows local areas to have a say in national politics. It keeps national politics from being controlled by urban areas.

However, I think instituting IRV would be a great step forward in the right direction.
 
people should just vote for what they believe if they did there would not be 2 major parties but lots more parties.
 
I'd like to see more political parties being serious contenders for office in the US, but until our election system is changed there's no hope of it actually happening.
 
people should just vote for what they believe if they did there would not be 2 major parties but lots more parties.

With a plurality voting system, that is whoever gets the most votes wins 100% of the office, a two-party system naturally emerges. This is called Duverger's Law and this happens to prevent spoilers. Basically, the reason why the Democrats take on Green Party issues and why the Republicans take on Libertarian Party issues is so that the Greens and Libertarians won't split the ticket and cause the other major party to win.

That's why we need a different voting system than the one we do now. Change the voting system and you change the party system.
 
Canada and the UK have more three or more main political parties (with two major ones each)

We have a voting system similar to the US ( the person with the most votes wins the district or seat)

There really is no reason for only two political parties in the US rather then three.

Other then the fact Americans dont like losing. People in the UK will vote for the Liberal Democrats despite that party having no chance of forming the government. The same occurs in Canada with the New Democrats, they will never likely form the government, but the do get some seats in government
 
I don't think we need a third party, with our current laws and the way congress is set up, having a third party wouldn't prevent anything from being done. A third party would only hurt the other two depending on what their stances were. What kind of ideology do you think this party should be?
 
With a plurality voting system, that is whoever gets the most votes wins 100% of the office, a two-party system naturally emerges. This is called Duverger's Law and this happens to prevent spoilers. Basically, the reason why the Democrats take on Green Party issues and why the Republicans take on Libertarian Party issues is so that the Greens and Libertarians won't split the ticket and cause the other major party to win.

That's why we need a different voting system than the one we do now. Change the voting system and you change the party system.

I think its individual people who need to change.For example people who voted for nader in 2000 where made to feel as though they had elected bush when then actually just voted for someone closer to their ideals.Same with Ross Perot.I do realise the system has been manipulated to stop another Perot but thats why the people need to refuse the mandate that is giving to the 2 major parties.
 
I don't think we need a third party, with our current laws and the way congress is set up, having a third party wouldn't prevent anything from being done. A third party would only hurt the other two depending on what their stances were. What kind of ideology do you think this party should be?

Well, I think we should have multiple parties. Personally, I'd prefer it if officials from the Libertarian, Green, Modern Whig, and a Modern Progressive parties were able to be elected. That way to get anything done, a coalition government would have to be formed. That would lead to a lot more moderation in the passage of legislation. Which I prefer.
 
With a plurality voting system, that is whoever gets the most votes wins 100% of the office, a two-party system naturally emerges. This is called Duverger's Law and this happens to prevent spoilers. Basically, the reason why the Democrats take on Green Party issues and why the Republicans take on Libertarian Party issues is so that the Greens and Libertarians won't split the ticket and cause the other major party to win.

Yeah, That's something that does ruin their chances of winning because people will feel as though voting for a third party (especially in national elections) is throwing away a vote and this is another problem and how other parties continue to lose. By them taking on Libertarian and Green ideas they make people feel as if they're making a safe choice by just voting for either the Democrat or the Republican that's using those issues instead.
 
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I think its individual people who need to change.For example people who voted for nader in 2000 where made to feel as though they had elected bush when then actually just voted for someone closer to their ideals.Same with Ross Perot.I do realise the system has been manipulated to stop another Perot but thats why the people need to refuse the mandate that is giving to the 2 major parties.

But the mandate that is giving the 2 major parties is our plurality voting system.

Let's say we had an IRV system. In the first round, votes would be counted as they were. Since no candidate had a majority, all of Nader's votes would have gone to Gore in the second round. That would have changed history quite a bit.

That's why I'm in favor of an IRV system. It allows third party candidates to be viable and makes each vote count rather than be a spoiler.
 
I don't think we need a third party, with our current laws and the way congress is set up, having a third party wouldn't prevent anything from being done. A third party would only hurt the other two depending on what their stances were. What kind of ideology do you think this party should be?

I dont think the ideology would matter. The other political parties would make adjustments to theirs to accomodate the new one

For instance lets say a leftist party became the third party and it was taking about 20% of the vote. The democrats would have a couple of options

1. Try to take back the leftist leaning voters by becoming more left wing, alienating the centrists of America

2. Or move somewhat to the right to take centrist voters who tend to vote Republican

If they choose #2 the rebuplicans would most likely move more towards the right to in order to ensure a difference between them and the democratic party
 
I don't think we need a third party, with our current laws and the way congress is set up, having a third party wouldn't prevent anything from being done. A third party would only hurt the other two depending on what their stances were. What kind of ideology do you think this party should be?

I don't vote because there is no one worth voting for, so that is somewhat untrue to say that it takes away from another party.
They don't own any individuals vote.

Making the right choices, not the expedient ones.
Of course that would piss, nearly, everyone off, so they have no chance.
 
There really is no reason for only two political parties in the US rather then three.

Other then the fact Americans dont like losing.

America being comprised of mostly immigrants (and descendents of immigrants) probably makes us more ideological by nature. This may factor in to why we don't like losing.
 
I voted 'other.'

In as much as I would like to see a new political party,... I think the ship has sailed on the U.S. to the point that i's more than just the two party system that's the problem. It's also the collective mindset of the American people and the insurmountable debt we are already faced with.
 
Woops meant to say "no" in the poll. I have a feeling that what ever this third party will be, it will likely have more extreme political leanings, whether in the conservative direction or liberal direction. I am more satisfied with two groups...

Democrats: Mostly liberal, partially conservative
Republicans: Mostly conservative, partially liberal

If I were to root for a third party, they had better be equally conservative and liberal. A more middle of the road party would be the best third option in my mind.

If the third party leans too far left or right, there will be too many people who do not agree with the direction that party will lead the country.
 
If I were to root for a third party, they had better be equally conservative and liberal. A more middle of the road party would be the best third option in my mind.

Interesting,..

So, what's the 'middle ground' on the following?

1: Elective Abortion
2: Gays in the Military
3: Women in frontline combat
4: Gay Marriage
5: Illegal Imigration
6: Drug legalization
7: Public Displays of Religion
8: School Vouchers
9: National Health Care
10: Stem cell Research
11: The right to keep and bear arms
12: Premptive Military tactics
13: Nuclear Energy
14: Foreign trade
15: Securing the borders
16: Space Exploration
17: Man Caused Climate Change
18: Campaign Finance laws
19: Imminent Domain laws
20: Waterboarding
21: Constitutional rights for non American captured combatants
22: State Soveregnity
23: Tort Reform
24: Social Security Reform
25: Medicare and Medicaide reform

(Sorry for such a short list)
 
If I were to root for a third party, they had better be equally conservative and liberal. A more middle of the road party would be the best third option in my mind.

I could easily go for a third party that is socially liberal (regarding personal freedoms), but fiscally conservative. The reason that probably won't happen is because liberalism in this country necessarily includes social welfare, and this makes it impossible to have a party which embraces personal freedoms along with fiscal sanity.
 
I think we do need a strong Third Party because it's something that'll keep the two major parties we have now honest.

I think we need a strong 3rd party. I think the more the better because I would not want to see a two party monopoly changed into just a 3 party monopoly.
 
Interesting,..

So, what's the 'middle ground' on the following?
I dunno about "middle ground, but if you are interested in MY opinion...
1: Elective Abortion
Support and oppose, depending on the specific situation.
2: Gays in the Military
Support.
3: Women in frontline combat
Support, given they meet standards for such a position.
4: Gay Marriage
Tend towards opposition, but not sure as to my reason for such.
5: Illegal Immigration
It's illegal, so I oppose it.
6: Drug legalization
Support in some ways, oppose in others.
7: Public Displays of Religion
Perfectly acceptable. Free speech? Or did you mean public-owned property with displays/government displays?
8: School Vouchers
Tend towards support.
9: National Health Care
Tend towards opposition.
10: Stem cell Research
More nuanced than that, really. I tend towards opposition to embryonic stem cell research, but all other stem cell research seems reasonable.
11: The right to keep and bear arms
Strongly support. I want my own personal tank, if I can afford it...:mrgreen:
12: Preemptive Military tactics
Depends on the situation. In some few, I support.
13: Nuclear Energy
Seems better than some other methods, except for the very dangerous waste...
14: Foreign trade
What, someone thinks stopping trade with other countries is a good idea? :shock: Or did you mean the level of restrictions on it...
15: Securing the borders
Needs to be done.
16: Space Exploration
Support, probably my sci-fi fan side showing...
17: Man Caused Climate Change
Do not consider a proven theory as of this moment.
18: Campaign Finance laws
Need redone.
19: Imminent Domain laws
Also need redone.
20: Waterboarding
Both support and oppose.
21: Constitutional rights for non American captured combatants
Not sure of the law on this one, but I would assume some treaty applies.
22: State Sovereignty
Is being infringed upon.
23: Tort Reform
Seems to be necessary.
24: Social Security Reform
Needs done.
25: Medicare and Medicaid reform
Also needs done.

(Sorry for such a short list)

Short comments in blue.
 
The only problem to supporting only a "third moderate party" is that it is difficult to say what moderate is. That's why advocating only one more third party is a bad idea. People have all sorts of political philosophies that are worth being represented. That's why we should have a multi-party system.
 
I don't think we need a third party, with our current laws and the way congress is set up, having a third party wouldn't prevent anything from being done. A third party would only hurt the other two depending on what their stances were. What kind of ideology do you think this party should be?

Whatever I think it should be. Hmmm...

The Blackdog Party.

I like it!

Our positions...

1: Elective Abortion

Only in case of incest, rape or danger to mother.

2: Gays in the Military

Let em serve.

3: Women in frontline combat

No

4: Gay Marriage

Civil Unions recognized by all states and feds with all the same rights. or...

Get government out of marraige and let the churches do it.

5: Illegal Imigration

Enforce the laws we have aggressively.

6: Drug legalization

Yes. Adults can decide what they want to put into there own body.

7: Public Displays of Religion

Who cares?

8: School Vouchers

Privatize all schools.

9: National Health Care

No

10: Stem cell Research

Yes

11: The right to keep and bear arms

Yes

12: Premptive Military tactics

No

13: Nuclear Energy

Yes

14: Foreign trade

Yes

15: Securing the borders

Inforce the laws we have.

16: Space Exploration

Yes. Top priority.

17: Man Caused Climate Change

Not interested in a natural process we can't control.

18: Campaign Finance laws

Yes.

19: Imminent Domain laws

Nessesary but not in any way for private use. Public only.

20: Waterboarding

No.

21: Constitutional rights for non American captured combatants

Hell no.

22: State Soveregnity

To an extent. Yes.

23: Tort Reform

Yes

24: Social Security Reform

Big yes. Top priority.

25: Medicare and Medicaide reform

Big yes. Top priority.
 
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Interesting,..

So, what's the 'middle ground' on the following?

1: Elective Abortion
2: Gays in the Military
3: Women in frontline combat
4: Gay Marriage - Taking religion out of the question
5: Illegal Imigration
6: Drug legalization
7: Public Displays of Religion
8: School Vouchers
9: National Health Care
10: Stem cell Research
11: The right to keep and bear arms
12: Premptive Military tactics
13: Nuclear Energy
14: Foreign trade
15: Securing the borders
16: Space Exploration
17: Man Caused Climate Change
18: Campaign Finance laws
19: Imminent Domain laws
20: Waterboarding
21: Constitutional rights for non American captured combatants
22: State Soveregnity
23: Tort Reform
24: Social Security Reform
25: Medicare and Medicaide reform

(Sorry for such a short list)

Great question. I wasn't trying to give the solution, just making a recommendation. Everyone is going to be different on each issue of course.

But for much of these we can focus on the logical arguments rather than repeating rhetoric that has been spewed from each party. Our government should be made up of INDIVIDUALS who don't automatically subscribe themselves to all ideologies of a party. A middle ground in my mind would mean a party where everyone has different opinions on different issues. There would be no pre-determined party opinions on each issue you listed.

But I guess that would be called "Independents", haha.

All I can say is I will not be voting Democrat or Republican come the next election. Or in the very least I will not vote to re-elect our current politicians.
 
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