A minor party is a political party that plays a smaller (in some cases much smaller, even insignificant in comparison) role than a major party in a country's politics and elections. The difference between minor and major parties can be so great that the membership total, donations, and the candidates that they are able to produce or attract are very distinct. Some of the minor parties play almost no role in a country's politics because of their low recognition, vote and donations. Minor parties often receive very small numbers of votes at an election (to the point of losing any candidate nomination deposit). The method of voting can also assist or hinder a minor party's chances. For example, in an election for more than one member, the proportional representation method of voting can be advantageous to a minor party as can preference allocation from one or both of the major parties.
63-539: Third Force may refer to: Politics [ edit ] Third party (politics) , party other than one of the two dominant ones in a two-party political system Third party (United States) , in American politics Third parties in a two-party system , in which two political parties dominate voting in nearly all elections at every level of government Chinese Peasants' and Workers' Democratic Party , called "Third party" in
126-700: A satellite party , is a political party that is a constituent member of an electoral bloc . However, the term also has a more specific meaning, referring to non-ruling but legal political parties in a one-party state (most notably communist states as auxiliary parties and members of a ruling coalition, differing such governments from pure one-party states such as Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union ) although such minor parties rarely if ever constitute opposition parties or alternative sources of power. Other authoritarian regimes may also have multiple political parties which are nominally independent in order to give
189-410: A two-party system , so that successful smaller parties are rare. Countries using proportional representation give little advantage to the two largest parties, so they tend to elect many parties. Therefore, in those countries, three, four, or more political parties are usually elected to legislatures. In such parliamentary systems, coalitions often include smaller parties; since they may participate in
252-685: A French political coalition during the Fourth Republic Third Force (Hong Kong) , a political party in Hong Kong, supportive of China Third Force (Iran) , a socialist–nationalist political movement in Iran during Abadan Crisis Third Force (Northern Ireland) , a former Northern Irish paramilitary organisation Third Force (Myanmar) , the informal name given to a collection of new political parties in Myanmar which contested
315-941: A National government. The All-Russia People's Front includes the ruling United Russia , A Just Russia – For Truth , Rodina , New People , the Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine , the Russian Union of Afghanistan Veterans , the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, the Young Guard of United Russia , the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia , and others. In multiple countries in Scandinavia , parties generally run in elections separately but cooperate with other parties of similar ideology and outlook, and are grouped together by media, commentators, and party members for
378-416: A coalition government, there is not a sharp distinction with a 'major' party. In two-party systems, on the other hand, only the major parties have a serious chance of forming a government. Similarly, in presidential systems, third-party candidates are rarely elected president. In some categorizations, a party needs to have a certain level of success to be considered a third party. Smaller parties that win only
441-466: A multi-party system. The Labour Party and Co-operative Party have an electoral agreement under which elections in some constituencies are contested by Co-operative Party members as joint candidates . Two of the three largest national parties do not actively contest elections in Northern Ireland . The two Northern Irish parties that are affiliated with parties that compete in the rest of
504-581: A one-party system under the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan (TDP) from independence until 2008. However, the country remains totalitarian with the TDP not facing any competitive challenges in elections. The two other parties in the legislature as of 2018, the Agrarian Party and Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs , are seen as having only been created in order to give the impression of
567-659: A role in the democratisation process, while others would be unable to continue functioning either due to a loss of guaranteed yet artificial representation (granted to them by the ruling Communist Party), or due to the stigma of being associated with subservience to the Communists, and would either dissolve or fade into obscurity. East Germany , Czechoslovakia , Poland and Bulgaria operated bloc party systems where non-communist parties were constituent members of an official coalition. A similar system operates in China today. In
630-811: A satellite party of Fidesz, with the last time it got into parliament on its own being in 1994. In Mexico during the rule of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI, 1929–2000), partidos paleros (satellite parties) included the Authentic Party of the Mexican Revolution and the Socialist Popular Party . These helped the PRI government give the superficial appearance of a competitive democratic system. In fact, both satellite parties fully supported
693-538: A significant number of seats in their Home Nations, with the SNP controlling 56 of 59 Scottish Westminster seats at the 2015 United Kingdom general election , and every single Northern Irish seat is held by a regional party – either the republican Sinn Féin and Social Democratic and Labour Party , or the unionist Ulster Unionist Party and Democratic Unionist Party . As of 2024, the Green Party hold four seats and
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#1732765793953756-664: A smooth jazz band Third Force , a 1991 Jazz CD by American composer and saxophonist/multi-instrumentalist Thomas Chapin Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Third Force . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Third_Force&oldid=1251039124 " Categories : Disambiguation pages Political party disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
819-836: A subordinate role to the Ba'ath Party. Traditionally, legal political parties were required to follow the socialist and Arab nationalist or pan-Arabist orientation of the al-Assad regime. More recently, parties have been no longer required to do so in order to receive legal recognition and one such party, the Syrian Social Nationalist Party , was both legalised and admitted to the NPF. This has given rise to suggestions other parties that are neither socialist nor Arab nationalist will gain recognition, but ethnically based (Kurdish or Assyrian) parties continue to be repressed, and Islamist parties remain illegal. The country operated under
882-482: A very small share of the vote and no seats in the legislature often are termed minor or fringe parties. Third parties usually have little chance of forming a government or winning the position of head of government. Nevertheless, there are many reasons for third parties to compete. The opportunity of a national election means that attention will be paid to the positions of third parties. The larger parties might be forced to respond and adapt to their challenges, and often
945-601: Is able to contest only parish and community council elections in England and Wales and has fewer reporting, financial and administrative requirements than an ordinary registered political party. In the United States , minor parties are often described as third parties . Minor parties in the U.S. include the Libertarian Party , the Green Party , Constitution Party , and others that have less influence than
1008-538: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Third party (politics) A minor party that follows the direction/directive of some other major parties is called a bloc party or satellite party. Minor parties in Australia owe much of their success to the proportional representation method of voting for the Australian Senate and one chamber of
1071-453: Is more disadvantageous for larger parties like the UFP and Democratic Party (DP) than the prior system, which did not compensate parties for differences between their popular vote percentage and seat percentage, as the two major parties have generally won a larger percentage of seats than their popular vote percentage. As a result, the UFP sought to exploit the new system by making a bloc party for
1134-715: Is possible to have a bloc party simply be a smaller party in a coalition, often long-lasting, with a larger or more dominant party with no direct connection between the two. Since the 1920s, the main centre-right force in Australian politics at the federal level has been an alliance of parties known as the Coalition : originally consisting of the Nationalist Party and the Australian Country Party , it currently includes those parties' successors,
1197-515: Is taken by the somewhat more conservative and Catholic-influenced Christian Social Union . They form a common CDU/CSU bloc in the Bundestag . The Hong Kong pro-democracy camp has been establishing an electoral coalition in local level elections. Unless there is a coordination failure, the parties within the camp will not contest against each other in local level elections. In the coming General Election , they also launch primaries to ensure
1260-557: The 2020 South Korean legislative election in order to get more electoral seats that are under their control, as they would otherwise be allocated little or no extra compensatory seats. The DP did the same with the Platform Party . Both bloc parties were dissolved following the election. The National Progressive Front is an umbrella organisation comprising the Ba'ath Party and several other pro-government parties, who in practice play
1323-661: The Brexit Party , which was the largest British party in the European Parliament before withdrawing due to Brexit, held no seats in the House of Commons. Today The Brexit Party is known as Reform UK and has five seats. Also UKIP has achieved significant vote shares despite holding no seats in the Commons. Other parties that have held seats in devolved assemblies, the House of Commons or the European Parliament in
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#17327657939531386-497: The Eastern Bloc , that while giving voters a choice would be seen as a step towards a totalitarian, Communist-led regime. Bloc parties were able to retain their non-Marxist orientation, but in practice were always subordinate to the ruling Communist party, and were required to accept the Communists' " leading role " as a condition of their continued existence. All legal parties and civic organisations were required to be members of
1449-730: The Free German Youth , Kulturbund and the Democratic Women's League of Germany broke their formal affiliation with the former ruling party, but only the Free German Youth still operates today. In China, under the premise of United Front , 8 democratic parties in the People's Republic of China [ Wikidata ] have been recognized by the government. All the eight parties established in China before
1512-624: The Front of National Unity was formed, including the PZPR, the agrarian United People's Party (ZSL) and the centrist Democratic Party (SD), while up to three Catholic associations also had representation in the Sejm . Occasionally, deputies from these groups (most notably the Catholic Znak ) offered limited criticism of government policies. A number of deputies from bloc parties also voted against
1575-742: The Liberal Party of Australia and the National Party of Australia . The Coalition's formation was prompted by the rise of the centre-left Australian Labor Party , which remains the Coalition's main political opponent. The two parties of the Coalition draw support from different bases, with the Liberals gaining their votes in urban areas and the Nationals winning theirs in rural areas. Arrangements at state and territorial level vary, from
1638-849: The Liberals used to be the largest Third party by popular vote from the 1920s until 2015. In Canada , the Liberal Party and the Conservative Party are the two major parties at the federal level. The Bloc Québécois , New Democratic Party , and Green Party are the largest minor parties, represented in the House of Commons of Canada . Another 12 parties are registered with Elections Canada (see List of federal political parties in Canada#Registered parties ) but have no seats in Parliament. The New Democratic Party has been
1701-789: The Libertarian and Green Parties. In the United Kingdom, a third party is a national political party, other than the Conservatives and Labour , which has at least one member in the House of Commons . From 1922 to 2015 and again from 2024, the Liberal Democrats and their predecessors the Liberals were the third party. Between 2015 and 2024, it was used for the Scottish National Party . In
1764-638: The National Front , dominated by the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia , take part. However, elections were competitive, with the Communists and Social Democrats prevailing in the Czech lands, and the anti-Communist Democratic Party winning a comfortable majority in Slovakia. In 1948, however, the Communists seized power and non-Marxist parties were made subordinate to the Communists. During
1827-713: The SDP–Liberal Alliance and the Liberal Party (the main opposition to the Conservative Party before the rise of Labour, forming governments six times between 1859 and 1918) have achieved significant numbers of seats and have occasionally been kingmakers (such as during the Lib-Lab pacts and the 2010–2015 coalition with the Conservatives ) and are sometimes also classed as a major party. The nationalist Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru hold
1890-633: The Velvet Revolution , the parties became more assertive in pressuring for change, and transformed themselves for democratic politics. The Christian democratic Czechoslovak People's Party remains a player in Czech parliamentary politics. The 1947 elections were blatantly rigged in favour of the Democratic Bloc, with Communist and Socialist parties being merged to form the Polish United Workers' Party (PZPR). In 1952
1953-527: The 1930s Third Force, a term referring to Canadians of neither British or French descent; see Multiculturalism in Canada § Incipient stage (pre-1971) Third Force (China) [ zh ] , attempts to establish another force against the authoritarian Kuomintang and the radical Chinese Communist Party during the Republic of China (1912-1949) era, and also attempts to establish an alternative to
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2016-746: The 1960s and early 1970s, the Australian Democrats from the late 1970s until 2004, and more recently the Australian Greens . Minor political parties are commonly referred to as partai gurem in Indonesia. In Indonesia's first democratic election in 1955 , over a dozen newly established political parties which participated in elections won just two seats or less in the House of Representatives . During most of Suharto's presidency, only three political parties participated in elections, but after Suharto's fall minor parties returned to
2079-413: The 2010 Burmese elections Third force (1996 Russian presidential election) , an electoral coalition proposed during the 1996 Russian presidential election Third Force (South Africa) , a late apartheid-era militants, resistant to change Third Force (Ukraine) , a Ukrainian political party Third Force (Georgia) , a defunct Georgian political coalition Music [ edit ] 3rd Force ,
2142-414: The 21st century include the non-sectarian Northern Irish Alliance Party , the far right British National Party , the healthcare-focused Independent Community and Health Concern , the cross-community Northern Irish NI21 , the cross-community feminist Northern Ireland Women's Coalition , the anti-austerity People Before Profit Alliance , the left-wing Northern Irish unionist Progressive Unionist Party ,
2205-652: The CDU in the Volkskammer took a stand against the legalisation of abortion, with the party's deputies either voting against the law or abstaining. During the 'peaceful revolution' of 1989 , the bloc parties began to assert themselves and emerge as independent parties, leading to the first and only free election to the Volkskammer in 1990. During the process of German reunification , the bloc parties merged with their western counterparts. Non-party organisations such as
2268-695: The Chinese-Communist-Party-lead People's Republic of China as well as the Kuomintang-lead Republic of China after the establishment of PRC and expulsion of KMT from Mainland China in 1949 Third Force (CIA) , a CIA program instituted during the Korean War to destabilise China. Perhaps best known for the John T. Downey and Richard Fecteau shootdown. Also known as Operation Tropic. Third Force (France) ,
2331-556: The German Democratic Republic, the National Front was the umbrella organisation which included the ruling Socialist Unity Party of Germany , other political parties and various non-party organisations. Germany was since 1945 divided into four occupation zones. Each occupying power decided which parties it allowed. Four parties were initially allowed in all four zones: The Soviet occupying government also allowed two other parties. They were both founded in 1948 on
2394-459: The Indonesian electoral scene. In the 1999 election , for example, out of 48 participating political parties only 20 political parties won any seats at the national level. Since the 2009 election , a parliamentary threshold has been implemented in Indonesian elections, reducing the number of parties represented in the national parliament to ten or less. The use of first past the post in
2457-555: The Scottish Parliament, the SNP has been the dominant parliamentary party beginning with the 2011 Scottish Parliament election , with the Conservatives the next largest party and Labour becoming Scotland's third party ever since. Reform UK was the largest Third party by popular vote in the 2024 United Kingdom general election . In the 2015 United Kingdom general election UKIP was the largest Third party by popular vote. The Liberal Democrats and their predecessors
2520-821: The UK are the Social Democratic and Labour Party with Labour , and the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland with the Liberal Democrats . The Conservative Party runs candidates in Northern Ireland but used to support the Ulster Unionist Party . The country's ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party , has never faced true opposition since its creation, with all other parliamentary parties seen as being allied with
2583-431: The United Kingdom means that in the post-War era, only two parties have had a majority in parliament: the Conservative Party and the Labour Party . However, strong regionalist movements and the potential for parties to take votes in the centre or extreme fringes of the political spectrum mean that minor parties still play a significant and increasing role in British politics. The Liberal Democrats , and their predecessors
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2646-415: The appearance of political pluralism, but support or act in de facto cooperation with the government or ruling party. The concept has its roots in the popular front idea where Marxist and non-Marxist political parties and other organisations would belong in an umbrella organisation. Following the end of World War II , elections were held in areas already under Soviet influence who would become members of
2709-426: The context of an impending election, is considered highly unlikely to do so). The distinction is particularly significant in two-party systems . In any case "third" is often used figuratively, as in "the third parties", where the intent, literally stated, is "the third and succeeding parties". The term "third parties" is used mostly in countries with first-past-the-post voting systems, as those systems tend to create
2772-413: The creation of People's Republic of China , and are willing to collaborate with the Chinese Communist Party administration, have been recognized as "parties that can help joint administration of the country under Chinese Communist Party's lead". These parties are tasked to accept Chinese Communist Parties' leadership as well as political principle and direction. The 1946 elections saw only parties of
2835-407: The entire National Front in a parliamentary election in the GDR. As the Communists consolidated their power, the bloc parties all jettisoned their original programs. All of them nominally embraced "socialism", becoming loyal partners of the SED. With few exceptions, they voted unanimously for all government proposals. One of the few notable dissensions of a bloc party occurred in 1972 when members of
2898-416: The government and co-nominated the PRI candidates for the Presidency of Mexico until 1988. ACT New Zealand , a right-wing libertarian party, runs its leader as a candidate in the Epsom electorate. In Epsom, the ACT leader is typically endorsed by the National Party and its leader. After the election, the ACT leader can then be offered a cabinet position, and the party can serve as a coalition partner in
2961-438: The greatest coordination and thus greatest possible number of seats, at best simple majority (35+) can be achieved. The Christian Democratic People's Party is the coalition partner of the ruling party Fidesz , and has run with Fidesz on a joint electoral list in elections since 2006. However, over time the party has lost popular support to the point it can no longer be measured in opinion polls, and today effectively operates as
3024-412: The imposition of martial law in Poland , after which the Front of National Unity was replaced by the Patriotic Movement for National Rebirth which included the same as well as additional member organisations. In 1989, partly free elections were held in which Solidarity won an overwhelming majority of freely contestable seats- only 35% of the Sejm- while the PZPR and bloc parties were reserved 65% of
3087-422: The initiative of the communists: All parties in the Soviet zone had to work together in the National Front under the leadership of the communists. This organisation also included so-called mass organisations, such as the communist-led trade union and the women's association or the youth association. The National Front determined the electoral list for the parliamentary elections: There was only one unified list of
3150-449: The larger parties copy ideas from them. Most third parties try to build their support to become one of the dominant parties, as the Labour Party in Britain and New Democratic Party in Canada did. In the Westminster system there is also the possibility of minority governments , which can give smaller parties strength disproportional to their support. Examples include the Irish Parliamentary Party which pushed for Home Rule in Ireland in
3213-403: The largest Third party by popular vote in most federal elections since 1962. Unlike the parties in many nations, Canadian parties at the federal level are often only loosely connected with parties at the provincial level. Some parties operate only at the provincial level, for example BC United in British Columbia . Bloc party A bloc party ( German : Blockpartei ), sometimes called
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#17327657939533276-426: The late 19th century. Challenging parties also usually appeal for votes on the basis that they will try to change the voting system to make it more competitive for all parties. In some countries like the United States, parties with low win probability face frequent exclusion from major debates and media coverage and denial of ballot access as well as hamstrung campaign budgets. The Democratic Labor Party (DLP)
3339-435: The left wing Respect Party , the left wing nationalist Scottish Socialist Party , the elderly interest Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party and the unionist Northern Irish Traditional Unionist Voice and UK Unionist Party . Whether or not a party counts as a major party is a sometimes heated argument, since "major parties" as defined by Ofcom are entitled to more party political broadcasts than minor ones. Because of
3402-400: The legislatures of most states . This allows minor parties to achieve at least one quota in the electorate or state and thus gain representation in a parliamentary chamber. Often minor parties have been so successful in gaining such representation that they are able to hold the balance of power in the particular house of the parliament. Some examples are the Democratic Labor Party (DLP) in
3465-473: The major parties. Since the American Civil War (1861–1865), the major parties have been the Republican Party and the Democratic Party . Since 1860, six presidential candidates other than Republicans and Democrats have received over 10% of the popular vote, although one of them was a former president, Theodore Roosevelt . In electoral politics, a third party is any party contending for votes that failed to outpoll either of its two strongest rivals (or, in
3528-434: The merger of state Liberal and National parties through to electoral alliances on the federal model and, in the case of Western Australia , a looser relationship. The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and other leftist parties in Bulgaria have been members of the leftist electoral alliance Coalition for Bulgaria since 1991. The Christian Democratic Union of Germany does not contest elections in Bavaria , where its place
3591-446: The official Communist-dominated coalition. Elections were not competitive as the composition of legislatures was generally pre-determined. Parties only occasionally dissented from the line of the ruling party. Some parties were pre-existing, others had been newly formed, to appeal to specific sectors of society. However, during the fall of Communism , many hitherto subordinate bloc parties would begin to assert their independence and play
3654-432: The purposes of the formation of a coalition government: a "red" bloc of centre-left and left-wing parties, and a "blue" bloc of centre-right and right-wing parties. Parties almost always form coalition governments consisting of their particular bloc if they have a majority, with the largest party nominating the position of Prime Minister. The Future Korea Party was a bloc party of the United Future Party (UFP), at
3717-429: The regionalist nature of many parties, it is possible to be a major party in one part of the country and not another: for example, at one point UKIP was officially a major party in England and Wales, but a minor one in Scotland. No mainland British party is classed as a major party in Northern Ireland. A minor party is also a special type of political party registered with the Electoral Commission in Great Britain that
3780-422: The seats. The ZSL and SD formed a coalition government with Solidarity, thus forming Poland's first non-Communist government since World War II. The SD continues today, whereas the ZSL eventually evolved into today's Polish People's Party . Two of the Catholic associations with Sejm representation continue today as lay Catholic organisations. During Communist rule in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Agrarian National Union
3843-451: The time the country's main opposition party. All parties excluding the UFP accepted a new election law starting in 2020 which led to the adoption of a more proportional election system. Thirty seats now used the additional-member system , which allocates on a compensatory manner to make seats more closely match the popular vote if a party won a lower percentage of seats via single-member constituencies than their popular vote percentage. The AMS
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#17327657939533906-417: Was the largest Third party by popular vote in federal elections from 1955 until 1977. The Australian Democrats was the largest Third party by popular vote in federal elections from 1977 until 2004. Since 2004, the Australian Greens have been largest Third party by popular vote in federal elections. In the United States, there have been numerous "third parties". The largest since the mid-20th century are
3969-454: Was the only other legal party than the Bulgarian Communist Party as a member of the Fatherland Front . A number of successor parties exist in post-Communist Bulgaria. In countries like North Korea or Vietnam (until 1988), bloc parties also exist, playing a subordinate role to ruling Communist parties as constituent members of official coalitions. A few examples of a bloc party system also exist in non-Communist regimes. In these cases, it
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