Third Parties in America [Paperback]

Steven J. Rosenstone (Author), Roy L. Behr (Author), Edward H. Lazarus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 18, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0691026130 | ISBN-13: 978-0691026138 | Edition: 2 Rev Exp

In recent years a growing number of citizens have defected from the major parties to third party presidential candidates. Over the past three decades, independent campaigns led by George Wallace, John Anderson, and Ross Perot have attracted more electoral support than at any time since the 1920s. Third Parties in America explains why and when the two-party system deteriorates and third parties flourish. Relying on data from presidential elections between 1840 and 1992, it identifies the situations in which Americans abandon the major parties and shows how third parties encourage major party responsiveness and broader representation of political interests.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In recent years, a growing number of citizens have defected from the major parties to third party presidential candidates. During the elections in the past two decades, minor parties like those led by George Wallace and John Anderson, as well as independent efforts such as Ross Perot's 1992 presidential campaign, have attracted more support than at any time since the 1920s. Third Parties in America explains why and when the two-party system deteriorates and third parties flourish. Relying on data from presidential elections between 1840 and 1992, it identifies the situations in which Americans abandon the major parties and shows how third parties encourage major party responsiveness and broader representation of political interests.

Review

Rosenstone, Behr, and Lazarus have significantly contributed to our understanding of minor parties ... by carefully and systematically testing the many conventional explanations that we have aggregated into a theory of minor party politics in America. -- John R. Petrocik, Political Science Quarterly

[Third Parties in America] provides a quick and fascinating history of ... alternative political movements ... [and] offers a thoughtful and intriguing analysis of the history and status of 'other parties' in this two-party republic. -- T. R. Reid, The Washington Post Bookworld

Product Details

• Paperback: 306 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press; 2 Rev Exp edition (March 18, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691026130
• ISBN-13: 978-0691026138
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #327,528 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars AN EXCELLENT HISTORY AND ANALYSIS OF "MINOR" POLITICAL PARTIES, February 9, 2012

By 

Steven H. Propp (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Third Parties in America: Citizen Response to Major Party Failure (Paperback)

This 1984 book is a marvelous explanation of the causes, rationale, and history of various third-party movements in America.

The authors note that "minor" parties have managed to capture 5% or more of the popular vote in a third of presidential elections since 1840, and more than 10% in 1/5th of those elections. Furthermore, their participation prevented 14 of the last 36 elected Presidents from receiving more than 50% of the popular vote (pg. 4).

They explain the "biases" which hinder third-parties: e.g., the single-member-district "plurality" system (as opposed to a "proportional representation" system) awards no seats unless a plurality of the vote is received; ballot access restrictions (which vary from state to state, requiring parties to qualify in each state separately, as well as in Washington D.C.); campaign public financing laws which only award funds to "minor" parties after the fact, etc. (Pg. 18-26)

Furthermore, the two major parties sometimes cut into third party support when they "co-opt" issues raised by third parties (Pg. 44). And even when groups such as the nonpartisan League of Women Voters invite third party candidates to participate in presidential debates (e.g., John Anderson in 1980), other candidates (e.g., Carter) may decline to appear on the same platform (pg. 118-119).

This book is an excellent and authoritative treatment of this subject.