Three Party System

What if instead of a two party system, America has a three party system and always has had it. Let's see what this could mean.

1. The Federalist Party doesn't die out for some odd reason and exists with the Democratic and Whig party until the Whig party disbands and the Repulican party takes over.

2. The Green Party or some other party takes over now as an official third party like it has in the state of Illinois.

3. After the war of 1812, the Constitutional Party exists along side the others.

How would that change things and affect things to come?
 
How about through some stroke of luck, Theodore Roosevelt wins the 1912 election on the Progressive (Bull Moose) ticket. We could see them today alongside the Democrats and Republicans.
 
The problem is FPtP makes it advantageous to have a two party system as with a 33-33-34 split the 34 wins even though 2/3 voted against them. I think we need to come up for a way for there to be serious third parties before we contemplate their effects.
 
The problem is FPtP makes it advantageous to have a two party system as with a 33-33-34 split the 34 wins even though 2/3 voted against them. I think we need to come up for a way for there to be serious third parties before we contemplate their effects.

The UK has FPtP voting and while the third party often gets squeezed it does still exist.

One way to get a three-party system is to have large regional variation in the support for the parties. For example, in England the Conservatives are one of the two main parties while in Scotland they have a third-party status.

Cheers,
Nigel.
 
Top