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Elections, especially in democratic governments, have a tendency to be framed as contests between two dominant political parties.  Democrats and Republicans dominate the political landscape in America, for instance, but in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Conservative and Labour parties enjoy a similar grip.  Yet, in nearly every election, third-party candidates emerge, threatening the grip of the established powers.  Although they never actually do win federal elections, they can have a tremendous influence on outcomes, set political discourse, and alter the strategy of mainstream parties. This article reports on why third-party candidates are important, how they influence big elections, their historical place, and the controversy over their role in democracy. What are Third-Party Candidates? Third-party candidate refers to any political candidate who is not one of the two major parties in a two-party system.  In the US, that would imply anyone who campa...

  In the 21st century, increasing fear of climate change has ushered in a global political realignment.  What was hitherto marginalized in political debates has now risen to center stage, impacting the agendas of center parties and driving green forces into governments.  Green Parties, through their massive electoral advances across Europe, North America, and further afield, have transformed politics and brought environmental politics into the heart of democratic politics. The Rise of Green Parties: A Global Phenomenon Green Parties originated in the 1970s as a response to increasing worry about pollution, nuclear energy, and environmental destruction.  Germany's Die Grünen (The Greens), which formed in 1980, is widely considered the template for modern Green Parties, mixing activist politics and parliamentary involvement successfully.  Other such parties have emerged around the globe, from the Green Party of Canada to the Green Party of England and Wales, and t...