It is not far reaching to state that the rise and fall of third-party politics in the United States is directly linked to the performance of the two dominant parties. Through a variety of historical and institutional factors, the two-party system in the United States seems to be firmly cemented into the political landscape. Basic internal failures and cultural biases have also lent a hand in maintaining the status quo. With the Republican and Democratic party continually adjusting to cultivate their political power, it seems that little room is left for third parties to gain even a foot hold. And yet still, third parties continue to build up organizations to fight a seemingly invincible foe. In the end, maybe the purpose of these parties is not to win (although, I am sure many within the party would jump to disagree), but rather to inform.

Third parties in the United States have a major impact on the two-party system and the country by raising new issues, mobilizing new groups of activists and voters, and putting stress on the major parties to take a look at particular issues facing the nation. It is here where the success of third parties becomes illuminated. Herrnson and Green point out “American minor parties are issue ‘promoters’ rather than electoral ‘contenders,’ advancing issues to ‘influence’ rather than to capture the government” (11). The historical and what seems to be the future role of America’s third-party system lies in its ability to raise and publicize issues of societal concern and then force the major parties to confront and often absorb these problems into their own agenda. Thus, even as the third parties form new agendas to increase the support for their cause, in reality, they are only further perpetuating a system of two-party dominance. The Free Soil party (1848), People’s party (Populists of 1842), Progressive parties of 1912 and 1924, American Independent party (1968), and the Reform party are all examples of third parties that never achieved the presidency or majority status in a single chamber of Congress and are “testimony to the ability of the major parties to adjust to these challenges and absorb many of the third-party dissidents into their own ranks” (Biddy, 83). The weather may not be changing, but third parties will always play a factor in how hot it really gets.