The People's Party

In the event that one of the major parties collapsed, a political vacuum of sorts would follow shortly thereafter. As seen in the 1850's, once the Whig party became irrelevant, several smaller fringe parties stepped to the front. With the exception of the "Know-Nothing" (American) party, these smaller fringe parties didn't have much success because of their extreme platforms. But out of the ashes of once extreme Abolitionists, former Whigs and Know-nothings rose the Republican party we know today- a sort of hodge-podge of the former smaller parties. Fast forward to a hypothetical collapse of the Republican party: If history is consistent with what happened in the 1850's and smaller parties such as the Socialist party, the Green party or the libertarian party were to coalesce with former Republicans, a party altogether different from that of the Republican party would surely emerge.

With that said, a potential "new party" that consists as a coalition between the above listed parties could look something like this:

Platform:

1. Against big business and big government.
2. Heavy emphasis on the protection of individual liberties.
3. A renewed focus on the United States as a world leader in areas including, but not limited to: Environmental protection, reduction of greed and rampant global capitalism through greater citizen involvement in government and big business, elimination of partisan politics through the establishment of one universal party- "the people's party".

For this party to advance it would need to be successful at a grass-roots level. Those that are disenfranchised by the economic downturn including the working class and lower level "white-collar" political activists would make up its primary electoral base. The Midwest would most likely become its political strong hold as well as what was the former Republican South. Much of the growth would initially start in regions experiencing the worst of the current political and economic changes. As far as leadership, Brian Moore or Ron Paul would be logical choices for President.