Politics with Paul #47: Will We Ever See a Competitive Third Party?
Update: 2025-07-01
Description
Polling consistently indicates that large majorities of people believe a third major party is needed because the Democratic and Republican Parties do not adequately represent the American people. Despite this, third parties rarely win any elections, even at the local and state levels.
Why do we not see 3rd parties be more regularly competitive in US elections despite immense dissatisfaction with the Republican and Democratic Parties? Have we had 3rd parties that were competitive in the past? What makes a 3rd party competitive? Will we soon see a 3rd party become a regular contender for big-time elected offices in the near future? All this and more are on tap for today’s episode.
(0:00 ) Today's Topic: A Competitive 3rd Party?
(2:20 ) What is a "Competitive" 3rd Party?
(4:12 ) Analyzing Public Opinion on the Need for a 3rd Party
(15:31 ) The History of 3rd Party Victories
(26:54 ) Why Parties Even Exist and Duverger's Law
(31:12 ) What are Today's 3rd Parties and Their Membership?
(34:31 ) Obstacles to 3rd Party Competitiveness
(45:37 ) Final Thoughts: Is There Potential for a 3rd Major Party?
(50:40 ) Closing and My Media
Why do we not see 3rd parties be more regularly competitive in US elections despite immense dissatisfaction with the Republican and Democratic Parties? Have we had 3rd parties that were competitive in the past? What makes a 3rd party competitive? Will we soon see a 3rd party become a regular contender for big-time elected offices in the near future? All this and more are on tap for today’s episode.
Buy my book on Amazon (ebook and paperback): https://www.amazon.com/Why-Independents-Rarely-Win-Elections-ebook/dp/B09K8PYM5J/
Download my FREE 5-day educational email course: https://detoxifyamericanpolitics.com/
My website: https://paulrader.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaulRaderWrites
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulrader352/
Medium: https://paulrader-42650.medium.com/
Email: paulraderwrites@gmail.com
Matchmaker FM profile for booking me on your podcast: https://www.matchmaker.fm/podcast-guest/paul-rader-329e65
(0:00 ) Today's Topic: A Competitive 3rd Party?
(2:20 ) What is a "Competitive" 3rd Party?
(4:12 ) Analyzing Public Opinion on the Need for a 3rd Party
(15:31 ) The History of 3rd Party Victories
(26:54 ) Why Parties Even Exist and Duverger's Law
(31:12 ) What are Today's 3rd Parties and Their Membership?
(34:31 ) Obstacles to 3rd Party Competitiveness
(45:37 ) Final Thoughts: Is There Potential for a 3rd Major Party?
(50:40 ) Closing and My Media
Comments
In Channel
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States00:00
00:00
x
