POL 1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Campaign Finance, Electoral District, Focus Group
Document Summary
We have major institutional incentives to have only two parties. Stake out different territory besides just liberal and conservative. Voting for a third or fourth party is a protest vote, making a statement. Effects of two part system and its future. Promotes stability and order because you are fighting for the center to win representation. Limits interest because if you provided the opportunity for multiple parties to win in a proportional representation system, you would generate interest. Often happens in countries where the people are trying to change/reform government. Last time we had this was 1930s depression era when we changed from. R to d and the new deal happened. In the last sixty years we see an enormous change, mostly revolving around information. Government is centered around gathering information on voters. Public opinion and focus groups help to identify swing voters, etc. Bring in people who represent the focus group demographic to try to get an appeal.
