DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

AND

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

POSC 105

THE AMERICAN ELECTORAL SYSTEM



  1. THIS MORNING:
    1. The role of elections in a democratic system
    2. Dissatisfaction with electoral politics
    3. Explanations of declining voter participation.
      1. Registration
      2. Running for office


  2. ELECTIONS AND DEMOCRACY - SOME BASICS:
    1. Elections are the mainspring of "democracy by accountability."
      1. Instruments for holding representatives accountable
      2. Educational and motivational functions.
    2. Elections American style:
      1. Number of separate choices
        1. Sheer number of offices to be filled can be overwhelming
      2. Selection of candidates: the nomination process
        1. Conventions and caucuses versus primaries
      3. General elections
        1. Presidential and "off year" elections
    3. Recall a major effect of the constitution: the creation of independent power centers.
      1. Members of the White House, House, and Senate are elected separately.
      2. Geographical representation


  3. DISSATISFACTION WITH THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM:
    1. Three general concerns
      1. The turnout conundrum: participation in presidential and off-year elections has declined during the last 100 years despite improvements in communications and transportation and rising level of education.
        1. In 1996 less than half of the eligible electorate bothered to show up at the polls.
        2. The decline in turnout
      2. Lack of voter interest and knowledge.
      3. Election practices leave nearly everyone unhappy.


  4. EXPLAINING THE DECLINE IN TURNOUT:
    1. First what are the reasons for the decline?
      1. Individual characteristics (the "Hamilton school"): interest, knowledge, concern, civic-mindedness, ability to "pay the costs of participation" (i.e., social-economic standing).
        1. See Squire and others, Dynamics of Democracy Table 6.1 for the factors related to voting participation.
      2. Structural factors (the "Jefferson school"): general proposition: political institutions and practices keep the "cost of participation" too high for many citizens.
        1. What are these institutions and practices that discourage voting?
          1. Mass media and "quality" information.
          2. Registration laws
          3. Campaign practices
          4. Structure of elections
          5. Decline of political party grass roots organizations.
          6. Growing size and complexity of government.


  5. REGISTRATION AND TURNOUT:
    1. In order to vote citizens in most states must register. But specific registration requirements vary from state to state. Some make it easier to register than others.
    2. Proposition: turnout is related to registration requirements: the "easier," the higher the turnout; the harder, the lower, other things being equal.
    3. The politics of motor voter legislation.


  6. MODERN CAMPAIGN PRACTICES AND TURNOUT:
    1. Major proposition: despite their growing technical sophistication, modern campaign techniques actually discourage interest and participation.


  7. NEXT TIME:
    1. Election campaign structure and practices.
    2. Examples of the causes and effects of the failure of campaigns
    3. Reading:
      1. Squire and others, Dynamics of Democracy, Chapter 6.
      2. Essays under "Elections and Voting" on the web site.

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