Politics at the Periphery: Third Parties in Two-Party America - Softcover

Gillespie, J. David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0872498433 ISBN 13: 9780872498433

Publisher: University of South Carolina Press, 1993

Synopsis

At a time when voter frustration with "politics as usual" promises to be the hallmark of the 1990s, J. David Gillespie reminds us that American receptiveness to candidates outside the Republican and Democratic parties is not a phenomon unique to this decade. Rather, alternative parties are an American tradition almost as old as the nation itself. Gillespie's broad, interpretive study tells the story of those Americans who have rejected traditional parties for alternative political organizations and the issues that have motivated them to do so.

Gillespie examines the value of third parties as well as the cultural and structural constraints that relegate them to the periphery of American political life. From the Antimasons of the 1820s to H. Ross Perot's grassroots network, Gillespie details more than fifty political alternatives. He offers vivid portraits of third-party leaders and supporters, including Tom Watson, Robert LaFollette, Strom Thurmond, George Wallace, Belva Lockwood, and Huey Long. Assessing their constituency and impact, Gillespie concludes that third parties draw disproportionately from the ranks of agitators and act as agents for change, with many stances adopted―often in modified form―by mainstream parties.

About this title

About the Author

J. David Gillespie is professor of political science and former department chair at Presbyterian College. He earned his B.A. and M.A. at Wake Forest University and his Ph.D. at Kent State University. Gillespie has written extensively on third-party politics.

Reviews

Calling the third party impulse "alive and kicking," Gillespie offers a readable, but not rigorously analyzed, potpourri of history, political science and reportage. Professor of political science at Presbyterian College, Clinton, S.C., Gillespie argues that, because the major parties are pragmatic and not ideological, they leave space for third parties of more pointed philosophy. However, in contrast to the proportional representation of parliamentary democracies, our winner-take-all electoral system hampers third parties--an issue Gillespie might have emphasized more. He sketches the history of third parties like the Antimasonic Party during their golden age in the 19th century, as well as 20th-century parties like the Progressives and George Wallace's American Independent party. But his analysis of Ross Perot's 1992 presidential campaign is thin, ignoring how Perot orchestrated his entry into the race. He also describes the role of blacks and women in third parties and the impact of third parties on the state and local levels. Interspersed throughout the book are interesting sidebars, such as a chilling interview with a leader of the National Socialist White People's Party. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: University of South Carolina Press
• Publication date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0872498433
• ISBN 13: 9780872498433
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288