Why is it difficult for third-party candidates to gain traction in the United States when third-party candidates can earn seats in other countries?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The United States uses a winner-takes-all system, which means that the candidate with the most votes wins outright. This makes it difficult for third-party candidates to gain traction since they are often seen as unlikely to win and voters may be hesitant to vote for them in fear of wasting their vote on a losing candidate. In contrast, other countries may use a system of proportional representation, which allows for third-party candidates to gain seats in government based on the percentage of the vote they receive.

Why Is It Difficult for Third-Party Candidates to Gain Traction