Word: thirds
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...that would have otherwise been cast for Gore and could have altered the outcome of the extraordinarily close contest. Despite a later study by Harvard Professor B.C. Burden that largely disproved this theory, the controversy illustrates an important feature of American party politics: the abundance of obstacles faced by third-party candidates seeking electoral equality. Third-party candidates represent a viable and principled choice for Americans to express their views; as a result, votes for third parties should be regarded as informed decisions based on political values, rather than meaningless ones based on overly idealistic sentiments...
Objections to third-party candidacies that rest on their tendency to “steal votes” seem to invoke a cynical and underdeveloped view of democratic choice. Democracy is founded on the principle that citizens should choose governments for themselves from among the assorted options; with more options available for selection, therefore, citizens would have greater freedom and flexibility in choosing the leader they most desire. Instead of being restricted to one or two broadly comparable administrations, they would have the liberty to choose from an additional candidate who may be better suited to address their concerns...
...addition to providing another option for voters with specific concerns, the very participation of third-party candidates in campaigns helps to better inform voters and establish a higher level of political discourse. During debates, three candidates with three sets of ideas about governing policies would provide more information to the average voter—and more insights into their opponents’ plans—than would a smaller pool of candidates. Debating with additional opponents enables candidates to explore the nuances of their ideas, defining and distinguishing themselves from a broader field. Having an additional candidate with a well...
Finally, there is some value in casting a principled vote for a third-party candidate whose views are closest to one’s own, even if that candidate stands little chance of winning the election. The concept of principled voting is a lost one in American politics; drones of citizens vote for the most charismatic candidate, often without carefully considering the policy implications of their decisions. A recent study by Boaz Shamir indicates that voting preferences are closely correlated with a candidate’s perceived charisma, while Daniel Benjamin performed a behavioral analysis suggesting that...
...contrast, third parties are often organized around a coherent set of ideological goals; the Libertarian Party, for example, defines “smaller government” and “lower taxes” as its primary objectives, and the party’s website actually refers to the group as “the Party of Principle.” Voters expressing support for such parties necessarily have a concern for their ideological motives, rather than for their candidate’s charisma or charm. Since this, after all, is the goal of democratic voting—for citizens...