Question by casse: Why do third parties tend to be short lived?
Third parties are formed in the United States every year, but few last more than one or two electoral cycles. Why do third parties tend to be short lived?
Best answer:
Answer by On the left and proud
No money
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because they advocate big change usually…
it’s nice to think about… but huge fundamental changes, like ending the FED, are scary…
One of the other parties absorb their ideas and supporters.
They are single issue concerns instead of a broad based platform
This question reminds me of a song by Janice Joplin, Me and Bobby McGee, with the line “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose”.
Most third parties have very small memberships, little money (often burdened with debt), and have very few or no seats in government, thus they have very little to lose. Individuals within these parties will not yield their principles or sacrifice their ideals when they are challenged to compromise them for other members within their party because the only things the party has to lose are their principles and ideals. With little to lose, they are afforded more freedom to walk away from compromises. When disagreements over policy or party direction occur, compromise is more unlikely, and the party splits or disintegrates.
On the other hand, the major two parties are at the other extreme. They have a great deal of members, money and incumbencies to lose, so they compromise so extensively that they are often accused by many constituents of not “standing for anything”. Consequently, some people suggest that the only purpose of the two major parties appears to be to perpetuate their own existence.
Furthermore, there may be incentives for members to abandon their small party and organize elsewhere. Lobbying groups are probably more effective at generating policy changes or protecting special interests than small political parties. Also, it is probably more efficient and likely for people to attain their political goals within one of the large, influential and established parties.