Question

Which of the following is considered a benefit of minor parties in the democratic process?

a. Their most effective role is to act as spoiler.
b. They tend to move individuals into either the Democratic or Republican parties.
c. They may have some effect on the main parties by changing the focus of policy discussions.
d. In some cases, they may circumvent the election of a potentially more popular candidate.

Answer 1

Minor parties contribute to the democratic process by highlighting specific issues and influencing major parties to address them, which enriches political discourse and provides alternatives for voters. The correct answer is option c.

Step-by-step explanation:

A benefit of minor parties in the democratic process is that they may have some effect on the main parties by changing the focus of policy discussions. Unlike serving the role of a 'spoiler' or moving individuals into the major parties, third-party candidates can highlight specific issues, giving a platform to ideas that may be overlooked by the major parties. They act as a safety valve for political expression, especially when voters are unhappy with the options provided by the major parties. By bringing new issues to the forefront, they can influence the major parties to incorporate these issues into their own platforms, thereby affecting the political spectrum in meaningful ways.