Introduction
The peculiarity of the topic, concerning the elections and election campaign is that it regains its popularity every four years. It attracts the attention of the political experts, mass media, audience, and, surely, the world community.
Constitution
The process of the elections is fully controlled and regulated by the constitution. It states the terms of the politician’s occupation of the position, how many votes a candidate should attain in order to pass. The constitution should state, in what order the candidate should for the government, and what party forms the majority in the parliament. Generally, the majority is formed proportionally to the achieved votes, consequently, the more votes – the more places in the parliament (Hart, 2007).
Branches of Government
The issue of the elections does not touch all the branches of power, but only Executive (The President) and legislative (Congress). The fact is that, these two branches may change the constitution (through the particular process), and thus influence the terms and conditions of the elections.
Major Proponents
The major proponents on every election campaign in the United States are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. These are the two opponents in every question and in every matter: the democrats mainly focus on the internal affairs, while republicans pay more attention to solving the international problems. Democrats stand for the privatization and development of private entrepreneurship, and the republicans severely defend the concept of nationalization (Seligson, 2008).
As for the interest groups, it is necessary to mention, that the Democratic Party is constantly supported by the trade unions, entrepreneurs and anti-militarists. The matter of anti militarism often becomes the burning point of democratic candidates, as the USA often rushes to solve the international problems (such as the struggle with world terrorism) forgetting of the internal problems (unemployment, immigration, financial crisis etc).
Polling Data
Taking into account the wide practice of polls (including exit polls), it is necessary to mention that the data of the polls often helps to sort out the information on the ratings of the candidates. The polls are aimed to follow the rises and falls of the ratings, as the particular actions by the candidates directly impact the results of the polls (Knuckey, 2007).
As for the exit polls, these are the powerful instruments of preliminary counting of the votes, before the proclamation of official results. The popularity of exit polls are so high, that currently this experience is spreading all over the democratic world.
Role of the Media
Media is often called the fourth branch of power, as the person, who owns the information – owns the world, as Winston Churchill once stated. The power of media beyond any doubt, and the matter of the elections, if touched by the media reveals all the details of the election campaign. It is hard to overestimate the role of the media in the political life of the country, as it really shapes the image of the political course of the politicians, it gives the latest news, and people form their attention towards the candidates relying on the information issued in mass media.
Media always treats the issue of the elections from soma particular angle, and few resources really touch all the aspects of the problem. The angle of representing an issue always depends on the sponsor of the media. Even if the resource is positioned as an independent, still, there is a personality factor of a journalist. Unfortunately, the existence of absolutely independent mass media is impossible, consequently, for the objective evaluation of the situation it is necessary to study several resources (Coenen, 2008).
The Third Party
Theoretically, the third party may be in the US political system. The only problem is that it will not essential political influence, as the two giants (Democrats and Republicans) had monopolized the power, and surely, they will not wish to share it. Moreover, the experience of the states with multipartite systems is not rather successful, as every party aims to bite the biggest piece of pie, and, consequently, there is often no joint and harmonious policy.
Officially, the third party is not allowed on the ballots because of the only reason: the existence of the third party is not stipulated in the constitution. Most probably, this point is included because of the fear of revolt or revolution (when the minority of any party splits of the main party, and then gains power, authority and influence, creating absolutely independent party). (Knuckey, 2007).
Conclusion
In conclusion it is necessary to mention, that elections as a process mobilize lots of national resources: discussions, evaluations, publishing and other. The balloting of the third party is restricted because of the constitution, and the ruling parties do not wish to change the constitution for the benefit of smaller parties.
References
- Coenen, Dan T., and Edward J. Larson. “Congressional Power over Presidential Elections: Lessons from the Past and Reforms for the Future.” William and Mary Law Review 43.3 (2008): 851
- Hart, Roderick P. Campaign Talk: Why Elections Are Good for Us. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2007.
- Knuckey, Jonathan. “Classification of Presidential Elections: An Update.” Polity 31.4 (2007): 639.
- Seligson, Mitchell A., and John A. Booth, eds. Elections and Democracy in Central America, Revisited. Vol. 10. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2008.