Can the median voter model help explain why third parties have general

Can the median voter model help explain why third parties have generally not been successful in the United States? Explain why or why not.

What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER

Yes, the median voter can help explain why third parties have generally not been successful in the United States. Under a majority rule system where all possible outcomes can be placed along a one-dimensional continuum, candidates must converge on the median voter if they want to win election to public office. An introduction of a third party, almost by definition, will leave two parties on one side of the median. These two parties will split the votes on that side of the median and ensuring that the party on the other side of the median will win, making three party systems unviable in the long run.