Why are US third parties unsuccessful?

Answer 1

Third parties typically fail for two reasons: 1- lack of finance, and 2-a compelling reason for the voters to support them. While Ross Perot had the money to make a credible run for president, he siphoned votes from the GOP that helped weaken the George Bush campaign against Bill Clinton. This is similar to the current (April 2015) Tea Party, who pull votes from mainstream GOP who might otherwise defeat the moderate Dems.

Answer 2

There are several reasons why third parties generally fail in the USA. For a start the two main parties appeal to such a broad range of voters that they cater for most issues the voters represent. Occasionally, however, a third party proposes an idea that sits well with voters, gaining them more support. When this occurs the major parties simply adopt this 'idea' into their ideology meaning that the third party potentially disintegrates.

All parties aim to get a candidate into the presidency, correct? Well, as third parties seem to always fail, people believe that it is better to form various coalitions within a party, behind one person (the president) rather than becoming an independent candidate. This way people can have more opportunity for political influence.


A key issue also is the fact that they struggle to gain any form of solid support and in turn can not raise the funs required to effectively campaign. The campaign cost for the 2008 election was said to have bypassed the $5 billion mark.


State regulations also act as a barrier for third party production and advancement. Each state has a different rule/regulation as to what allows a political party to be on the ballot paper. Arkansas requires a grouping of only 50 people to form a 'party'. However, states like North Carolina require a grouping of over 100,000 people, which almost an impossible obstacle for any third party.


There is also the whole 'wasted vote' view. As the state races use a 'first past the post' voting system, a candidate needs to win the popular vote in order to gain the electoral college votes for that state. Third parties simply do not have the materials to campaign on a national level and can not possibly hope to achieve the popular vote. This has occurred since the beginning of the Constitution and has lead to view from the voters that any vote for a third party will be a wasted one as they have very little chance of gaining political influence.

Answer 3

U.S. third parties are unsuccessful simply because the two major parties are too successful. The historical foundation, political socializations and practical considerations, the winner-take-all (pluralism) electoral system, and state/Federal Laws favoring the two-party system are most of the reasons majority parties are successful and minorities fall short.

Answer 4

well the united states is pretty big. in Israel it works because its not the big of a country. The U.S. has some minor parties but they dont get elected because of major parties, but in some ways they do succeed they can draw attention to issues that major parties are afraid of. Minor parties also can add or take away voters.

Answer 5

Most of the United States belongs to either the Republican or Democratic parties, and Third Party candidates can barely ever steal enough votes from the two main parties to get enough of the vote to take an election.

Answer 6

Most American voters do not vote for third party presidential candidates because they believe that most American voters do not vote for third party presidential candidates so to do so would be a waste of a vote.

Answer 7

because they are unknowen and have little money

Answer 8

Third parties are rarely successful due to lack of money and historic loyalty from voters.