In addition to the two major party tickets of this election cycle, a considerable collection of third party candidates representing diverse ideologies are conducting their own campaigns this season. Most conspicuous among them is Ralph Nader, who is running partly as an Independent and partly as a Reform Party candidate, depending on the state where his name appears on the ballot. Teamed with running mate Peter Miguel Camejo, Nader campaigns on a platform that places strong emphasis on consumer rights and environmental protection, though it is not limited to these causes alone.

Another prominent third party candidate is Michael Badnarik, who heads the ticket of the Libertarian Party. Along with running mate Richard Campagna, Badnarik campaigns on the Libertarian philosophy of maximum individual liberty and minimum government power. The Libertarian Party seeks to privatize government social services and to disallow government involvement in moral or economic matters, among other objectives.

Some of the other third parties in this race include the Constitution Party, the Green Party, the Socialist Party USA, the Workers World Party and the Prohibition Party. Many of these are on the left-wing and right-wing fringes of the political spectrum.

Why do such third parties, who seem to be on the fringes of American politics, insist on making runs despite their nonexistent chances of winning the election? One explanation is tactical; if they campaign hard enough on their platforms and attract enough disciples, they might succeed in forcing the two major parties to consider some of their policy positions.

Jonathan Kelly is a senior political science major.