Third parties

[Amnesiac]

Why don't third parties have more support in the United States, compared to other industrialized nations? I would say, based on the views of most normal, non-fringe voters, a good majority of Americans would support a fiscally conservative and socially liberal party such as the Libertarians.

Third parties such as the Libertarian and Green parties are present in most states, they have been for decades. Even though, after constant campaigning and support from high-profile politicians like Ron Paul and Ralph Nader, they're still trumped in the end by the Democrats and Republicans, two immensely flawed parties. Why don't Americans put their votes towards third parties that might more accurately represent their views instead?

[Sage]

People are stupid. They say they won't vote for those parties because nobody else will, but nobody else will vote for them because people don't vote for them because nobody...

It's a goddamned cycle. People are more comfortable settling for less (the democrats or republicans, who both have a lengthy track record of disappointment) rather than voting for what they really want.

[Amnesiac]

People are stupid. They say they won't vote for those parties because nobody else will, but nobody else will vote for them because people don't vote for them because nobody...

It's a goddamned cycle. People are more comfortable settling for less (the democrats or republicans, who both have a lengthy track record of disappointment) rather than voting for what they really want.

It doesn't make sense though. Other countries like Australia have had third parties break into their legislatures and nab surprising chunks of the vote from the traditional parties. Why doesn't that happen in the U.S.?

[Whisper]

I like Canadas system
We have 4 main party's
Liberal (http://www.liberal.ca/)
Conservative (http://www.conservative.ca/)
New Democrat (http://www.ndp.ca/)
Bloc Québécois (http://www.blocquebecois.org/accueil.aspx)
We have a Green party (http://greenparty.ca/) but they're VERY small

[huginnmuninn]

because people believe that the third party candidates wont get voted in because they believe nobody else will vote for them which the voter believes would be wasting their vote. Which is funny because (disregarding the last couple of years) the majority of people dont really pay attention to who is running or what they stand for so they end up either always voting republican or democrat or voting for the name they hear the most. now more and more people are starting to pay attention to what going on so who knows what will happen next election

[The Dark Lord]

In britain we are becoming a 3 party system with our new coalition gov', and the 3rd party is being marginalised and will struggle to remain a force in coming years- this is the reason why america would never become a 3 party system

[mrmcdonaldduck]

It doesn't make sense though. Other countries like Australia have had third parties break into their legislatures and nab surprising chunks of the vote from the traditional parties. Why doesn't that happen in the U.S.?

There may be 3rd parties, but the national party sides with the liberals, and the greens go with labor. 4 independents is NOT a major 3rd party.