Political Parties and Presidential Elections PDF

SESSION 5 POLITICAL PARTIES & PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS S. Gueldry-Chenot  POLITICAL PARTIES 3 HOW TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE USA 9 OUTLINE PRIMARY ELECTIONS AND NATIONAL CO...

SESSION 5 POLITICAL PARTIES & PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS S. Gueldry-Chenot  POLITICAL PARTIES 3 HOW TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE USA 9 OUTLINE PRIMARY ELECTIONS AND NATIONAL CONVENTIONS 11 NOVEMBER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 19 VOTER TURNOUT 29 POLITICAL PARTIES  I- POLITICAL PARTIES Two-party system Bipartisanship? Polarisation of US politics Two main parties? L1LAANCI Political Parties and Presidential Elections 4 ISSUES DEATH PENALTY IMMIGRATION SAME-SEX MARRIAGE ENVIRONMENT GUN CONTROL  THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ECONOMIC ISSUES o New Democrats vs Old Democrats o Free market o Protecting workers overs employers SOCIAL ISSUES o Abortion / same-sex marriage o Defence of minorities o Welfare state US  Liberal = left-wing /!\ the opposite of what “liberal” means in France L1LAANC Political Parties and Presidential 6 I Elections  THE REPUBLICAN PARTY - GOP ECONOMIC ISSUES o Against taxation o Against redistribution through taxation o Against unions SOCIAL ISSUES o Against abortion / same-sex marriage o Opposed to welfare state L1LAANC Political Parties and Presidential 7 I Elections  OTHER PARTIES o Excluded from power by the electoral system o Radically left-wing parties: the Green Party / the Socialist Party o Radically right-wing: Tea Party movement L1LAANCI Political Parties and Presidential Elections 8 HOW TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE USA  II- HOW TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE USA US Constitution’s requirements for a Presidential candidate Four steps: - Primary elections - National Conventions - General Election - Electoral College L1LAANCI Political Parties and Presidential Elections 10 PRIMARY ELECTIONS AND NATIONAL CONVENTIONS III- STEP ONE - PRIMARY ELECTIONS Primary elections: inside a party Voters of the party vote in their state Calendar: from January to June Vote for a candidate Candidate = obtains delegates Candidates: criss-cross the USA Strategy: - the more populated a state is = the higher number of delegates they have - first three primaries L1LAANC Political Parties and Presidential 12 I Elections  PRIMARIES AND CAUCUSES PRIMARIES CAUCUSES o Private meetings o Select o Run by political candidate parties within a o Speeches political party o Candidates: o Different in nominated by the each state: party’s officials different laws o Used to be very o Open or closed popular o PB: only bigwigs o Secret ballot o Democratic? L1LAANC Political Parties and Presidential 13 I Elections L1LAANC Political Parties and Presidential 14 I Elections  2024 Presidential Calendar L1LAANC Political Parties and Presidential 15 I Elections L1LAANC Political Parties and Presidential 16 I Elections  III- STEP TWO - NATIONAL CONVENTIONS Party’s Delegates: nominee: represent Winning winning their state at candidate Democrats: Republicans: enough Ticket the National receives August 2024 July 2024 primaries to Party nomination get half of the Conventions delegates L1LAANCI Political Parties and Presidential Elections 17  Democratic National Convention 2024 - Recap L1LAANCI Political Parties and Presidential Elections 18 NOVEMBER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: general election and electoral college  IV – NOVEMBER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS POPULAR VOTE General election First Tuesday after the first Monday in November – Nov 5th 2024 Ballot p.32 Election: indirect L1LAANC Political Parties and Presidential 20 I Elections  IV – NOVEMBER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS ELECTORAL COLLEGE Each state has a number of electors Equal to the numbers of Congresspeople + 3 Picked by states before 1 October Calendar: December + January Most populated states: biggest number of electors L1LAANCI Political Parties and Presidential Elections 21  2020 ELECTORAL VOTES L1LAANC Political Parties and Presidential 22 I Elections  ELECTORAL VOTES – CHANGES FROM 2020 TO 2024 L1LAANC Political Parties and Presidential 23 I Elections  2024 ELECTORAL VOTES L1LAANC Political Parties and Presidential 24 I Elections  WINNER-TAKE-ALL ULTIMATE UNDEMOCRATIC RULE o Ticket that comes first in a state = wins all the electors of that state o Strategy: to win the states with the biggest number of electors or to win in a lot of “small” states o Rural states: over-represented o No correlation between popular vote and final result o Possible to become President with a minority of the popular vote o Example? L1LAANC Political Parties and Presidential 25 I Elections L1LAANC Political Parties and Presidential 26 I Elections L1LAANC Political Parties and Presidential 27 I Elections VOTER TURNOUT AND CONTROVERSIES  V – VOTER TURNOUT AND CONTROVERSIES Low turnout compared to France Elections on a Tuesday Registration Voting on many issues Criminal record Elections 2018 / 2020 / 2022: three of the highest-turnout US elections 2020: 66% turnout 2018: 49% turnout 2022: midterm elections: 46% L1LAANC Political Parties and Presidential 30 I Elections LET’S RECAP L1LAANCI Political Parties and Presidential Elections 31  HOMEWORK  Syllabus: chapter on elections – read the articles p.39 & p.42  Next week: first exam! L1LAANC Political Parties and Presidential 32 I Elections POLITICS AND INSTITUTIONS Session 4 S. Gueldry-Chenot  I- FOUNDING DOCUMENTS a) The Constitution Politics and Institutions 1/2 b) The Bill of Rights II- BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT a) The Legislative Branch: Congress  II- BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT a) The Legislative Branch: Congress Politics and Institutions 2/2 b) The Executive Branch: Presidency c) The Judicial Branch: Supreme Court BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT  II- THE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT a) The Legislative Branch: Congress  Bicameral: two chambers  House of Representatives + Senate L1LAANCI Politics and Institutions 5  POWERS OF CONGRESS CONGRESS SENATE: ADDITIONAL POWERS REPRESENTATION Vote laws Senate: represents the Regulate Confirms Union (2 Senators for commerce presidential each State = 100). Coin money nominations House of Representatives: Vote taxes Ratifies represents the people (435 representatives). Create, eliminate treaties made and fund by the Departments Representative of US Declare war President population ? abroad L1LAANC Institutions and Politics 6 I REPRESENTATION: CHALLENGES - Age L1LAANC Institutions and Politics 7 I  REPRESENTATION: CHALLENGES - Race L1LAANCI Institutions and Politics 8 REPRESENTATION: CHALLENGES - Gender L1LAANC Institutions and Politics 9 I  ELECTIONS TO CONGRESS Representatives: elected for 2 years Senators: elected for 6 years Seats: up for reelection every two years (all of the Representatives’ and one third of the Senators’) Extremely high reelection rate 95% Reality: Congress is hardly ever renewed L1LAANCI Institutions and Politics 10  HIGH REELECTION RATE: WHY?  Financing of politics: corporations and special interests  No limits to the times you can be reelected  Midterms: low turnout L1LAANC Institutions and Politics 13 I  Consequenc President: COALITION e: can no Ex: student no majority longer count loan debt in Congress on Congress  CHECKS AND BALANCES L1LAANC Politics and Institutions 15 I  CHECKS AND BALANCES L1LAANC Politics and Institutions 16 I BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT - THE EXECUTIVE b) The Executive Branch – the Presidency POWERS Chief of the executive Leader of her party Head of the nation Represents the US abroad Commander-in-chief of all armies Power of veto over legislation Nominates all federal judges and high executive officers Elected for 4 years – max 2 terms L1LAANC Politics and Institutions 18 I STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS Before Congress  Each January  Outlines country’s policy L1LAANCI Politics and Institutions 19 THE EXECUTIVE: how does it work? THE VICE-PRESIDENT THE PRESIDENT THE CABINET THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THE FEDERAL AGENCIES  THE EXECUTIVE THE VICE- PRESIDENT THE CABINET THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE FEDERAL AGENCIES Kamala Harris Heads of the 15 Groups of experts Members: appointed Departments by the President L1LAANC Institutions and Politics 21 I  R E C A P L1LAANC Institutions and Politics 22 I BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT - THE JUDICIARY  THE SUPREME COURT L1LAANC Institutions and Politics 24 I  THE SUPREME COURT Highest court in the land Last court of appeals Final interpreter of the Constitution Examines between 90 to 200 cases every year L1LAANCI Institutions and Politics 25  A CONSERVATIVE SCOTUS Only 9 judges called justices Nominated by the President and approved by the Senate For life Token representation L1LAANC Politics and Institutions 26 I  1896: Plessy v. Ferguson 1954: Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka 1973: Roe v. Wade LANDMAR 2003: Ewing v. California 2003: Lawrence v. Texas K CASES 2015: Obergefell v. Hodges 2020: Bostock v. Clayton County 2022: Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization L1LAANCI Institutions and Politics 27 HOMEWORK Syllabus: p.21 + p.23 + p.26 POLITICS AND INSTITUTIONS Session 3 S. Gueldry-Chenot  I- FOUNDING DOCUMENTS a) The Constitution Politics and Institutions 1/2 b) The Bill of Rights II- BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT a) The Legislative Branch: Congress  II- BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT a) The Legislative Branch: Congress Politics and Institutions 2/2 b) The Executive Branch: Presidency c) The Judicial Branch: Supreme Court   Founding principles and structure of American INTRODUCTION government, political institutions, political processes, etc.  How national institutions operate  How they shape law and public policy  Who has a voice in American politics  Study the American political system: - the different levels of government - the importance of the bicameral legislature - the role of the President - the role of the judicial branch L1LAANCI Politics and Institutions 4 FOUNDING DOCUMENTS  I- Founding Documents a) The Constitution Republic Federation of states Separation of power: Checks and Balances L1LAANC Politics and Institutions 6 I  I- Founding Documents a) The Constitution 6 articles Founding Fathers Constitution and Declaration of Independence L1LAANC Politics and Institutions 7 I  I- Founding Documents b) The Bill of Rights Basic political and civil rights No economic or social rights 10 amendments L1LAANC Politics and Institutions 8 I THE BILL OF RIGHTS  Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition  Right to bear arms  Quartering of soldiers  Arrests and searches  Rights of persons accused of crimes  Rights of persons on trial for crimes  Jury trials in civil cases  Limitations on bail and punishments  Rights kept by the people  Powers kept by the states or the people L1LAANCI Politics and Institutions 9 RECAP: FOUNDING PRINCIPLES LIMITED GOVERNMENT FEDERALISM CHECKS AND BALANCES & SEPARATION OF POWERS POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY REPUBLICANISM  CHECKS AND BALANCES L1LAANC Politics and Institutions 11 I  CHECKS AND BALANCES L1LAANC Politics and Institutions 12 I  HOMEWORK  Read the corresponding articles in the syllabus  Watch the videos on Moodle THE NEW FACE OF THE US: POPULATION AND GEOGRAPHY S. Gueldry-Chenot [email protected]  I- THE US TERRITORY a) Landscapes and Climate Zones b) Regions and Belts The New Face of the US II- THE US POPULATION a) Population Distribution b) Challenges  I – THE US TERRITORY  Study of population and geography: maps  Size  Scale  Description  Use? L1LAANCI The New Face of the US 3  a) Landscapes and Climate Zones L1LAANCi The New Face of the US 4 a) Landscapes and Climate Zones L1LAANCI The New Face of the US 5  b) Regions and Belts L1LAANCI The New Face of the US 6  b) Regions and Belts L1LAANCI The New Face of the US 7  b) Regions and Belts L1LAANCI The New Face of the US 8  b) Regions and Belts: the Rust Belt L1LAANCI The New Face of the US 9  b) Regions and Belts: the Sun Belt L1LAANCI The New Face of the US 10  II – THE US POPULATION  Number of inhabitants? 331 million people (2020)  3rd most populated country  Population growth rate 0.7%  Fertility Rate 1.77 children per woman  Life expectancy 79 years L1LAANCI The New Face of the US 11  a) Population Distribution L1LAANCI The New Face of the US 12 a) Population Distribution: Percent Change L1LAANCI The New Face of the US 13  Uneven Distribution INNER MIGRATION o From Northeast and Midwest to West and South o Urbanisation / Metropolitanisation / Remote work o Infrastructures o Politics o Economic opportunities: jobs + low taxes for companies o Crime rate o Housing prices IMMIGRATION o South America / Asia o Economic opportunities o Immigration policies o American Dream L1LAANC The New Face of the US 14 I  b) Challenges  Aging population: 16% elderly (over 65)  Huge disparities between states  Inner cities vs suburbs  Multiculturalism L1LAANC The New Face of the US 15 I  SYLLABUS  CENSUS CENSUS: WHAT IS IT? LIMITS o Every 10 years o Reliability o Mandatory o Use o Purpose? L1LAANC The New Face of the US 16 I  SYLLABUS  CENSUS CENSUS: RESULTS o Social implications o Economic implications o Political implications: political power L1LAANC The New Face of the US 17 I  SYLLABUS  CENSUS  The more populated a state is, the more political power it has.  The number of congressional seats depends on the number of inhabitants.  The number of seats is adjusted after each census. L1LAANC The New Face of the US 18 I CENSUS  RESULTS L1LAANC The New Face of the US 19 I SYLLABUS  ARTICLE Why is the number of non-Hispanic whites decreasing? When should they become a minority? Which demographic group has the highest growth rate? Why? “Seniors in 2019 made up more than 16% of the U.S. population (13% - 2010)” L1LAANC The New Face of the US 20 I  FOOD FOR THOUGHT  Where do newcomers come from?  Why do some politicians want to curb immigration?  What stereotype about immigrants turns out to be false?  Which political party do foreign-born residents usually vote for? Why?  Videos on Moodle:  “America is becoming more urban, more diverse and less white, 2020 Census reveals”  “Census shows U.S. is becoming more diverse”  “What the slowdown in U.S. population growth means for the economy” L1LAANCI The New Face of the US 21 See you next week!  Read articles