9. Electoral Campaigns: American Model of Campaigning

Question 1

americanisation

Answer 1

refers to the claim that there is a unilateral adoption of US election campaign technology and expertise in other countries, both via imitation and direct employment of US expertise

adoptoin of US election campaign technology / expertise in other countries

Question 2

main distinguishing features of American campaigning

Answer 2

political marketing

personalisation

high levels of technological sophistication

negative campaigning

Question 3

when do countries copy america: two kinds of factors

Answer 3

between-country differences: environmental factors

within-country differences: party structure

Question 4

environmental factors for determining when perties decide to adopt American campaigning

Answer 4

candidate-centred electoral systems (voting for person, not for parties)

liberal campaign financing rules (lot of money allowed)

lots of floating voters

frequency elections

political culture (polarization vs. more open)

Question 5

party structure factors for determining when perties decide to adopt American campaigning

Answer 5

vote-seeking perties having witnessed electoral defeat

parties with lots of resources

electoral defeats / lots of resources

Question 6

backfire of americanisation

Answer 6

too costly / too polarising and ignores local elements

Question 7

factors that actually explain your perception of who won a television debate are

Answer 7

prior liking of candidate

discussion with friends after the debate ( = two-step flow theory)

watching the actual debate

news coverage

Question 8

why is the influence of americanisation not unilateral

Answer 8

because Americans also learn from others

Question 9

how can americanisation be blocked

Answer 9

can be blocked when winning an election is prioritized over a coalition formation, which makes the government a mess