1. Does the cartoonist regard minor parties as a serious threat
to the major parties? Explain using evidence from the cartoon
2. According to the cartoon, do Republicans and Democrats
feel threatened by minor parties? Explain
rd
Minor/3
Role of
Parties
4 Types of Minor Parties
1. Ideological
• Specific set of
beliefs
• Long lived…
Few successes
• Communists,
Socialists
4 Types of Minor Parties
2. Single Issue
• One public policy matter
• Named after issue
• Short lived when…
Issue passed away
Major parties take on issue
• Right to Life Party
4 Types of Minor Parties
3. Economic Protest Party
• Produced by economic hardship
• Fierce opposition to major parties
• Against economic institutions: Wall
Street, Natl. Bank
• Sectional based
• Example: Greenbacks…
Poor farmers
4 Types of Minor Parties
4.
Splinter Parties
• Split from major
party
• Most successful
• Formed around a
dominant
personality
• Example: T.
Roosevelt’s…
Bull Moose
Importance
1.Spoiler
Take votes
away
Effect outcome
of elections
Importance
2. Critic
• Point out flaws
and
inconsistencies
of major parties
Importance
3. Innovator
• Highlight
important
issues
• Women voting
• Social Security
Future?
• Mixed reactions to Political
Parties
• Necessary Evil
• In decline since 1960s: Why?
1. What comment about political parties is the
cartoonist trying to make?
2. Do you think the cartoonist is criticizing the
major political parties? Explain.
Why in decline?
• Cannot distinguish between the 2
• More independents
• Split ticket voting
• Internal conflict
• Mass media has replaced parties
• One issue campaigns