Examine the role of minor parties in U.S. politics. How have minor parties affected the electoral system? What limitations have kept them from achieving major-party status?

Provide a detailed assessment from the individual voter's perspective on the utility of voting for a minor party. Use the presidential election of 2000 (Bush v. Gore) as a test case.

An ideal response will:
1. Describe the various prominent minor parties in American history and their effects in altering the national debate.
2. Explain the institutional limitations and attitudes that have prevented minor parties from becoming major parties. Institutional barriers such as winner-take-all elections and single-member districts are the primary hindrance to the rise of minor parties. Voter attitudes are affected by this and thus, many see voting for minor parties as a wasted vote and that minor parties spoil elections. Duverger's Law, which predicts this interaction, may or may not be noted in the answer.
3. Using detailed evidence from the reading, assess who voted for the Green Party in 2000 and why, giving a detailed explanation as to why many believe Ralph Nader spoiled the election as well as offering counterexplanations. Provide an argument for voting or not voting for minor parties.
4. Provide a succinct summary and conclusion.