Elections

This is more of a "How" than a "Why", actually. Professor Wagner explains why in the US, where all citizens over 18 (with few exceptions) have the right to vote, and over 1/3 of the population is going independent, still has a rigid two party system. It's not because the voters like it.

Professor Wagner explains the Electoral College in the US, at least in 48 of the 50 states. (Read below for Maine and Nebraska). Regarding Maine and Nebraska, these 2 states have 4 electoral votes each (2 for the 2 Senators, and 2 for House Reps). In both cases, 2 of the electoral votes are "winner takes all", meaning whichever Presidential candidate wins the popular vote of the state wins the 2 electoral votes. The other 2, however, a decided by the to congressional districts. Therefore, Nebraska (like Maine) is divided into 2 congressional districts, and each electoral vote will go to the Presidential candidate who wins the popular vote in that district (rather than the whole state). Sometimes, therefore, you will see 3 votes go to one candidate, and the 4th vote go to the other.

In this video lesson we will be looking interest groups. An interest group is a group, however loosely or tightly organized, that is determined to encourage or prevent changes in public policy without trying to be elected.

In this video lesson we will be looking at campaigns and elections. Elections form the foundation of the modern democracy, and more elections are scheduled every year in the United States than in any other country in the world. Campaigns where candidates launch efforts to convince voters to support them.

In this video lesson we will be looking at political participation. Political participation in social science refers to different mechanisms for the public to express opinions and exert influence.