Election Basics: Crash Course Government and Politics #36

Summary

In this episode of Crash Course Government and Politics, Craig explores the significance of elections in the U.S., addressing why they exist and how they function. He explains the concept of adverse selection, the role of state laws in shaping elections, and the implications of the Plurality Rule, which can lead to outcomes where a candidate wins without a majority. The episode discusses the constitutional framework for elections, the evolution of voting rights, and Duverger's Law, which helps explain the two-party system in American politics. Overall, the video provides insights into the complexities and structure of U.S. elections.

Takeaways

• 😀 Elections in the U.S. are primarily about choosing representatives rather than voting directly on policies due to the complexity of the political landscape.
• 🧑‍🏫 The concept of adverse selection explains the challenges voters face when making informed choices about candidates.
• 📜 The U.S. Constitution provides limited guidance on elections, leaving most procedures to be determined by state laws.
• 🔢 Most U.S. elections operate under the plurality rule, where the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they achieve a majority.
• 👥 The plurality rule can result in a candidate winning without majority support, which may lead to voter disillusionment.
• 🏛️ Key amendments like the Twenty-Fourth and Twenty-Sixth aim to expand voting access and protect the rights of underrepresented groups.
• 🚪 The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was established to increase voter participation among minority groups, particularly African Americans.
• 📊 The structure of elections, including state laws and the Electoral College, plays a significant role in shaping American political dynamics.
• ⚖️ Duverger's Law explains the dominance of a two-party system in the U.S., as voters tend to support centrist parties to avoid wasting their votes.
• 🔄 Understanding the electoral system's complexities is crucial for addressing the challenges of representation and fostering a more equitable political landscape.

Q & A

What is the primary reason Craig gives for the existence of elections in America?

Craig states that the complexity of America's size and governance necessitates a representative system, allowing citizens to vote for people rather than specific policies.

What problem does the concept of 'adverse selection' address in the context of elections?

Adverse selection refers to the challenge voters face when making choices without having complete information, similar to buying a used car, and elections help mitigate this issue through competition among candidates.

How does the U.S. Constitution address elections?

The Constitution provides only basic guidelines for elections, primarily leaving the details to state laws. It sets qualifications for federal offices but allows states to determine the methods of conducting elections.

What role do constitutional amendments play in U.S. elections?

Constitutional amendments, like the Seventeenth Amendment, the Twenty-Fourth Amendment, and the Twenty-Sixth Amendment, have expanded voter rights by allowing direct election of Senators, abolishing poll taxes, and lowering the voting age.

What is the Plurality Rule, and how does it affect election outcomes?

The Plurality Rule means that the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they achieve a majority. This can lead to situations where a candidate wins despite the majority of voters preferring other candidates.

What is a 'winner-take-all' system in the context of electoral votes?

In a 'winner-take-all' system, the candidate who wins the majority of votes in a state receives all of that state's electoral votes, which can distort the relationship between popular votes and electoral representation.

What is Duverger's Law, and how does it explain the two-party system in the U.S.?

Duverger's Law posits that plurality voting systems tend to create two-party systems because voters avoid supporting third parties that are unlikely to win, as doing so could help elect their least preferred candidate.

How does the federal government generally act in terms of voting laws compared to state governments?

The federal government tends to pass laws that expand voting rights, while state governments often implement regulations that restrict voting, such as stricter registration requirements.

What key function do elections serve in terms of candidate accountability?

Elections provide a mechanism for voters to remove ineffective or harmful representatives, thereby holding them accountable for their actions while in office.

What does Craig suggest about the polarization of political parties in America?

Craig notes that while Duverger's Law explains the predominance of two parties, the polarization observed in American politics suggests that parties are more extreme than the model predicts, indicating a complex interplay between elections and political ideologies.