AP GOV MINOR PARTIES

4 Types of Minor Parties

Roles/Struggle of Minor Parties in US

An Intro to Libertarianism

The Libertarian Stance on:

Lauren Davis - block 4

1. Ideological: - parties based on a particular set of beliefs, and have a comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters - not many have won elections -long-lived Ex: Communist and Libertarian Parties

2. Single Issue: parties that concentrate on a single public policy matter Ex: Know-Nothings and Right-to-Life 3. Economic Protest: these parties are issued in periods of economic discontent Ex: Populist and Greenback Parties

4. Splinter: - these parties are those that break off from one of the 2 major political parties - the majority of minor parties in the US are splinter parties Ex: Bull Moose and Dixiecrats

ROLES: - split the two major political parties when they are competing on the same level, the 3rd party usually steals votes away from one party. - minor parties take a clear stand on controversial issues - they act as critics and reformers in American political life - More often than once, a 3rd party has been the beginning of a major event in US politics. *women get the right to vote: Socialist and Prohibition Parties prompted for woman suffrage in the 1800s before the Repub and Dem supported it in 1916 - the candidates of a 3rd party run to voice their opinions to the public, not on their chances of winning STRUGGLES: - structural barriers * federal laws: make it difficult to secure public funding for 3rd party presidential campaigns - psychological barriers * long standing loyalty to the 2 party system - it is difficult for 3rd parties to recruit experienced candidates - those candidates are already part of the 2 major parties - they are not taken seriously by media

The Libertarian Party, America’s third largest and fastest growing minor party, was founded in December of 1971 by people who realized that politicians had strayed away from America’s original libertarian foundation. Their vision for America was the same as its founders: “a world where individuals are free to follow their own dreams in their own ways, a world of peace, harmony, opportunity, and abundance.” They are aware of the responsibility all US citizens have to preserve “this precious heritage” for future generations. The party has been divided for years on two sides: a more purist/hardcore libertarian group and a more moderate reform faction.

The Libertarian Party has adopted an ideology that stands for more freedom, less direct government involvement and lower taxes.

This image states, in a blunt manner, the Libertarian view on abortion.

This image depicts the Libertarian view on the environment. That it is the the responsibility of the people, who are given the proper tools to keep it clean (renewable resources) and education of how to protect it. The government is not to blame for its current conditions.

Libertarians, in a way, want to be the change they see in the world. They mainly believe in total individual liberties. Most of their platform takes the position of individuals making choices, and the government being there to act as an umpire. So the way citizens are under a libertarian lifestyle see it, the future is theirs to change.

1. HEALTHCARE Libertarians believe that individuals should be free to determine the level of health care, health care insurance, care providers, medicines and treatments they want and will use. They are in favor of restoring and reviving a free market health care system. 2. ENVIRONMENT The Libertarian party supports a clean and healthy environment and sensible use of our natural resources. Private businesses, are responsible for damages done to our environment and have a terrible track record when it comes to environmental protection. Protecting the environment requires a clear definition and enforcement of individual rights in resources. Libertarians realize our planet's climate is changing, and environmental advocates and social pressure are the most effective ways to change public behavior. 3. NAT'L DEFENSE Libertarians support the need of a sufficient military to solely defend the United States. The United States should abandon its attempts to try and protect the whole world and avoid excessive alliances. They are against all required national service.