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Democracy and participation - Coggle Diagram
Democracy and participation
electoral process
Primaries and caucuses - Democrats compete against each other. So do republicans.
National party conventions - confirm each party's nominee for the president and the vice president. Agree a party platform (policies they are campaigning).
Invisible primary - candidates from the same party establish themselves
The Campaign - candidate campaigns for the presidency
Election day - Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
Electoral college - Monday following the second Wednesday in December.
Inaugration - the president is sworn inn and officialy takes on the role.
The electoral college
Each state allocated a number of ECV. There are a total of 538.
Number of ECV is dependent on the population. The same as the number of senators and the number of representatives that state has.
Election day - the electorate from each state vote to decide which party their vote will go too.
The party with the most votes gets all of that states ECVs. Except from Maine and Nebraska whose ECVs are allocated by district.
A presidential candidate must win 270 ECVs. Popular vote does not matter.
Incumbency
Advantages:
Fundraising - an incumbent president faces so few challengers means that they do not have ro worry as much about fundraising.
Government control - as the head of government and the head of state, the president is able to undertake vote-winning behaviour in the run up to the election.
Obama introduced DACA in August 2012 before the election.
Campaign experience - already been through and won the campaign.
Presumed success - The incumbent will be successful regardless the circumstance because of the history of incumbent success.
Name recognition - largely well known by voters.
Party principles
Democrats 'progressive attitude'
Supportive of abortion and same-sex marriage.
In favour of tax cuts, with a focus on the middle and working class. Accept government regulation as needed, federal minimum wage.
Sought healthcare as a right and want to expand on Obamacare.
Republicans 'conservative attitudes'
Believe in the sanctity of life.
In favour of tax cuts across the board, favour minimal government intervention
Overturned Obamacare and replaced with a free-market equivalent.
Preference for personal reponsibility.
Party factions
Democrats
Liberals - more left-leaning. favour provision of welfare.
Conservatives - socially conservatives.
Moderates - willing to compromise on welfare. often supported by minority groups. Accept capitalism and current market order.
Blue Dogs
Republicans
Social conservatives - favour traditional views on social and moral issues.
Anti - abortion, opposed to gay right and anti-immigration. Emphasis law and order.
WIlling to accpet advancements in gay rights and abortion.
Republican In Name Only.
Interest groups
Parties are weak which allows interest groups greater access by targeting factions within the party.
A large number of access points - greater choice and chance for group to gain influence.
federalism allows groups to target change on a local level rather than worrying about national politics.
The constitution protects the rights of groups to exist.