Final answer:
Splinter parties develop as offshoots of major political parties, often due to disagreements with party stances or representation. They typically struggle to gain widespread support and win elections, although they can serve as 'spoilers' by taking votes away from one of the major parties.
Step-by-step explanation:
Splinter parties develop as offshoots of major political parties. They often form when a group within a party disagrees with the party's stance on certain issues or feels that the party is not representing their interests. Splinter parties can have varying degrees of success, but they usually struggle to gain widespread support and win elections. They may attract supporters from one or both of the major parties, but often fail to secure enough votes to be successful. In some cases, splinter parties serve as 'spoilers' by taking votes away from one of the major parties and causing the other party to win an election.