2023 paper Flashcards
three ways in which independent candidates may be significant in US
politics.
independant candidates- those who run for office without being without being affiliated to any major party
1.influence election outcomes- can draw enough votes away from major parties - may be more representative
eg- 2000 us presidential election Ralph nadar an independant candidate ran as green party nominee - key role in ai gores narrow loss to bush in swing states florida - nadars supporters may have otherwise votes on gore changing outcome of election
-not significant -limited success rarely win. Without institutional support of major party, independents fail to gain victory.
2.shaping public views -bring attention to issues which may be overlooked - nieche focus - forcing main parties to adress- policy impact
eg ross perot brought attention to issues-trade imbalances and national deficit - greater focus fiscal responsibility
but lack financial recources and organizational support - campaigns require exessive funding to succeed - easier for democratic and republican candidates
3.serve as a check on two party system - offer alternative vote rather than traditional - open debates forced to be taken into account by parties
eg sanders-ran as democrat in primaries dissatisfaction with income equality +healthcare- forced democrat party to adress policys
but difficulty building base-major parties - decades worth of support and voters
three ways that the concept of federalism influences US government.
federalism-division of power between federal gov and state govs
1.division of powers between both
allows each divison to have seperate authority and responsability - designed to prevent tyranny of majority eg constitution outlines - reserved powers -federal-national defence - state-education police - tax by both
important- state focus on more nieche to citizens - federal more nation concerns
2.checks and ballances - by seperating power both can act as checks on eachothers authority
eg states can challenge federal laws they find unconstitutional +federal gov can influence state policys McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819- affirmed federal law is supreme over state ensuring states cannot interfere with federal authority - greater oversight
3.diversity of policy
states can develop policys applying ti their constituents preferences- representation
eg different states have different approaches to issues - colorado and washington first to legalize marijuana
flexability- serve as laboratory of democracys
