How Many Political Parties Are There? (for those outside the U.S. too!)

[Darth Buddha]

What Parties Are There, How Many (U.S. & Non-U.S. Welcome)

[I'm a cranky independent at this time (fiscal conservative, international activist, social libertarian - no party for me).

I'm familiar with the following...

UNITED STATES POLITICAL PARTIES
Republican
Democrat
Independent
Green Party
Socialist Party
Communist Party
Patriot Party
Alaska Independence PartyBut I'm sure I don't have them all.

IF YOU AREN'T IN THE US, PLEASE IDENTIFY WHICH COUNTRY YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!

[TheBladeRoden]

A lot of countries have Labor Parties

[grinner]

Libertarian


would Independents be considered a political party?

[Darth Buddha]

Not sure.. you CAN regster as that.. but it isn't quite the same, is it?

[grinner]

I don't think of it as a party... I consider those that say they are moderates are unwilling to make the hard choices.

[DentArthurDent]

Moi? unwilling to make the hard choices? Truthfully I think it often the opposite. I decide on EVERY question based on what I believe is Right, rather than following any party, any politician.

in short I'm trouble 'coz I'm gonna ask the very question everyone avoids...

AFD

[Darth Buddha]

I make the hard choice... I vote against whoever is more extreme at the time.

I voted for Bush the 1st against Dukakis on that basis. Haven't voted Republican (except for Arlen Spector) since.

[fermicat]

My fiance and I had an interesting discussion about so-called third parties and the political system last night. We have different voting philosophies concerning them. Unless he is excited about a particular national candidate (which rarely happens) he votes for a third party candidate, to try to help them get established as a legitimate third party. I am more of a "picking the lesser evil" type and will only vote for a third party candidate if I think they are truly the right person for the office. My problem with third party candidates is that many times they are not well-qualified for the office they seek. If the alternative parties want to get more votes and more respect, they need to make sure their candidates are highly qualified and attractive to voters. I have voted for such a third party candidate in the past, but it is rare to get a decent choice.

I think it would be good for the country to have at least one other major party and not have de facto two party rule, but I don't see it happening any time soon.

[Zantar]

Natural Law party....

[Bekka Horror]

English partys,

Labour/"New" Labour
Conservitives
Liberal Democrats
Green
BNP (boo hiss)

then there are independants, and im sure there is a MAD party or monster raving loonys or something. didnt include any if the other british partys (welsh, scottish and irish) cos i dont know all the names