It is difficult to imagine a period in American political history that was not dominated by a duopoly of political parties. Although the resistance of the Founding Fathers on the issue of political parties is well documented, the two-party system we are accustomed to developed shortly after the emergence of the United States as an independent nation. Whether it was the Federalist/Democratic-Republican system of the late 18th and early 19th centuries or the Democratic/Republican system we know today, two ideologically opposed parties have always maintained dominant control of the American political system. The existence of third parties and independent candidates, therefore, complicates the political system we have used for centuries. Steven Rosenstone argues that the existence of our current two-party system is due, in part, to the ability of the two major parties to provide benefits in exchange for voter support. So what happens when one of the major parties fails in its responsibility to be accountable to the public? While several options exist, including calling for change within the major parties, third parties and independent candidates become a viable option to restore a sense of accountability among American politicians. While third party and independent candidates might seem attractive to voters, they are often unable to succeed in any major election. This failure can be attributed to many different factors, including constitutional and electoral barriers, as well as shortcomings born from the general lack of knowledge of third parties. Why then do third parties and independent candidates continue to exist in American politics? The ability of a third party to influence policy p...... center of paper ...... a third party is to force the two main parties to provide leadership that is accountable to the people and actively involve innovation in policy. Rosenstone's assertion that third parties are essential to American democracy is evidence that the current two-party system is inadequate and often fails to provide strong leadership. Without the presence of third parties, it is not difficult to imagine what the American political system might look like. Works Cited Goren, Paul. “The Two-Party System.” Lecture, POL 4737W, Blegen Hall 425, Minneapolis, January 28, 2010. Nader, Ralph, and Theresa Amato. "So you want to run for president? Ha! Barriers to third-party entry." National civic review 90, n. 2 (Summer 2001): 163-72. Rosenstone, Steven J., Roy L. Behr, and Edward H. Lazarus. Third parties in America. 2nd ed. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1996.