A Beginners Guide To The U.S. Presidential Elections
Warning: This post attempt to explain American politics, and will therefore either induce confusion or anger depending on your natural state.
We joke of course, but we must note that the U.S. Elections is currently hurtling towards us at the speed of light. With the initial round of debating set to start any day now and the Presidential Preliminaries scheduled for February 2016, it is time for the world's greatest and most powerful circus to dominate the world's media headlines once again.
A Beginners Guide to the U.S. Election: 3 Key things that you Need to know
While you may marvel at the spectacle of U.S. politicians scheming and competing for what is arguably the world's most influential position, there is an innate lack of understand when it comes to American politics. While the Netflix original series House of Cards may have done its best to fill this void, one can only hope that this is not an entirely accurate portrayal of the Whitehouse. With this in mind, we have put together a brief introduction to U.S. politics and how the election will unfold: -
It's the Democrats vs. the Republicans Again!
Unlike in the UK, there are two main parties that compete during the election campaign. These are the left wing Democrats (an American version of the Labour party that is currently in power and represented by Barack Obama) and the right wing Republicans, who serve as a more extreme version of the British Conservative Party and are slightly redder in neck than their adversaries.
While there is a theoretical opportunity for independent representatives to run for office, there are significant flaws with the U.S. electoral system that prevent this. More specifically, candidates need a President campaign to be eligible for election, and this require significant investment and media coverage. As this is beyond the means of most individuals (although not all as we will find out later), we are left with an undisturbed equilibrium and very little for long-term change. Still, at least the two-party system is simple for everyone to understand!
The Long and Torturous U.S. Election Process
At present, the landscape for the Presidential election in the U.S. is a little disjointed. While we know that Barack Obama is to step down after his second term in office (which represents one of the more progressive and innovative elements of American politics), we remain unclear who will represent the Republicans in the autumn of 2016. What we do know is that the Preliminary debates will start this month, before the final candidates are announced and official Presidential campaigns commence in February next year.
The Presidential debates are the scheduled for the autumn of 2016, as the two candidates for office will go head-to-head in a series of live and televised discussions. This also makes for incredible viewing as a neutral from the UK, although Americans may occasionally lament the occasions at their disposal. These electoral debates have a strong influence on the result of the election, as respondents are forced to discuss the topical issues of the day while handling a brutal line in questioning. For anyone who wants to see how candidates cope outside of their comfort zone, this is must-see TV.
Trump, Gay Marriage and House of Cards: Everything else you need to Know
It seems to be an unwritten rule of American elections that at least one candidate should bring the circus with him, and this years' claimant is none other than property mogul and television star Donald Trump. Standing as a potential Republican Candidate, his 'traditional' values have already seen him court controversy and alienate almost every voter north of the southern belt line. He makes for compelling viewing, however, and it should be noted that winning the hearts of southern voters did no harm at all to George 'W' Bush! With Trump having the inclination and the resources to run as an independent candidate if he is declined by the Republicans, this could make for a fascinating sub-plot to the 2016 election.
With a recent poll suggesting that Scottish citizens make for the most generous wedding guests in the UK, it is clear that some individuals enjoy this ceremony more than others. This is certainly true in the U.S., where the thorny issue of gay marriage continues to be a talking point (especially after the Supreme Court made this legal in all U.S. state). This will also provide an interesting sub-plot, and it could be crucial in determining votes and deciding a close election.
On a final note, don't forget that House of Cards is set to première its third season in February 2016. This will coincide with the Presidential Preliminaries, so it may be interesting to see how many citizens confuse Frank Underwood as an actual candidate for re-election!
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