Political Parties of the

United States

How many political parties are there in United States?Today there are two major parties and 4 third major parties in American system. Parties are Democratic Party, Republican Party, Constitution Party, Green Party and Libertarian Party. Also there are minor political parties and regional parties in system.

Democratic Party is the oldest political party in the history Democratic Symbol

Main strategy of Democratic Party was labor work supporter in economy and very aggressive. Franklin D. Roosevelt changed the main strategy of party and shaped it through the American liberalism. In 2004, 72 million voters chose Democratic Party and it was the largest political party of USA. Barack Obama is a democrat and it’s 15th Democrat to hold the office.

Main voters of party are social liberals. Today Democratic Party say no to titles like abortion restrictions, immigration restrictions and non-interventionist foreign policy. They are not supporting drug liberalization. They say yes to controversial topics like legalization of same sex marriages, universal health care and civilian gun control.

Democratic Party

The Republican Party is another major party in American political system. It’s commonly called as “Grand Old Party”

Republican Symbol

Party is founded by anti-slavery activists. The party was on office in the American Civil War period but this period has a bad reputation because of various scandals. Last president from Republicans was George W. Bush. Nominee of party for 2012 presidential election is Mitt Romney.

Party’s main political is on American conservatism. But party doesn’t reject liberalism and accepts some rules of classical liberalism. Party history is including important names of American History like Theodore Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan. Republican Party says yes to abortion restrictions, immigration restrictions and capital punishment. They say no to controversial topics like legalization of same sex marriages, universal health care and civilian gun control.

Republican Party

3rd Party System (Minor Party)

Constitution Party is one of the most popular third major parties in USA. They are founded in 1992. Party had over 430,000 registered voters in 2008. Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution of the United States and the Bible shapes their party politics. Their politic position is very close to Republican Party with some differences. They say no to important topics like legalization of same sex marriages, universal health care and civilian gun control. They say yes to Non-interventionist foreign policy and it’s the main difference of Constitution Party from Republicans. Also they say yes to restrictions like abortion restrictions and immigration restrictions. Some writers classify party in Christian nationalism.Green Party of the United States is founded in 1980s and today it’s a follower of Greens/Green Party USA. They gained countrywide popularity in Ralph Nader’s presidential run. Today they are powerful in local level. Environmentalism is the main politics of party. Also they believe in non-hierarchical participatory democracy and peace. They say no to abortion restrictions, immigration restrictions and capital punishment. They work for drug liberalization, legalization of same sex marriages and non-interventionist foreign policy. Libertarian Party is also an important party which is founded in 1971. It has 200,000 registered voters. They work on topics like legalization of same sex marriages and drug liberalization.

Other Party Systems of the World

One-Party SystemMultiparty SystemTwo-Party SystemThird Party (Minor Party)

Types of Third Parties Single-issue party Ideological party Splinter party

One-Party Systems

The party is the governmentThe decisions of party leaders set

government policyIn elections in such nations, only the party’s

candidates appear on the ballotUsually found in authoritarian governments –

by forceExample: North Korea, Iran (theocracy)

Two-Party System

About a dozen nations have systems where 2 parties compete for power

Minor parties do exist Example – United States – Republicans and Democrats

with minor parties including: Green, Libertarian, Independent, and Socialist Parties

Third Party (Minor Party)

Any party other than one of the 2 major parties

In any election there may be more than one party running against the major parties – still labeled third party

They rarely win major elections

Types of Third Parties

Single-issue party Focuses on one major social, economic or moral issue EX. 1840’s – Liberty Party and Free Soil Party took

stronger stands against slavery Generally short-lived

Types of Third Parties

Ideological Party Focuses on overall change in society rather than on an

issue EX. Communist Party USA advocate government

ownership of factories, transportation, resources, farmland and other means of production and distribution

Types of Third Parties

Splinter party Splits away from one of the major parties because of

some disagreement Usually result from the failure of the a popular figure

to gain the major party’s presidential nomination EX. 1912 – Teddy Roosevelt led a group out of the

Republican Party to form the Progressive or Bull Moose Party

Usually fade away with the defeat of their candidate