Syllabus
I. Introduction. Specifics of the electoral process in the USA. II. Historical overview of the presidential selection. The creation of the electoral college and the development of the nomination systems. III. The political environment. Turnout and influences on the turnout. The partisan basis of the process. Voting patterns. Social basis of election politics.IV. Midterm election and their functions. V. Nomination process. Delegate selection. Democratic Rules. Republican Rules. Basic strategic Guidelines. VI. The convention. Rules and platforms. Presidential and vice presidential selection. Media politics. Traditional and nontraditional coverage. Television debates. Campaign advertising. VII. The campaign. Organization, strategy a tactics. VIII. Media coverage. TV debates. Campaign and the new media (social network). Campaign Advertising. IX. Public opinion polls. Predicting presidential elections. Interpreting the election. Models of voting behavior. X. Campaign finance. The costs of campaigning and the sources of support.Finance legislation.XI. Candidates´personalities.Leadership issue. Psychological aspects.XII. Conclusion. Reforming the electoral system?( Electoral College elimination. Party rules. Financing. Media coverage.)
The topics will be discuussed following the presented seminar papers.
Annotation
The course is focused on the analysis of the U.S. presidential and congressional election. Following the general specification of the election process in the U.S,, it sums up the historical development of the candidates´selection and gives the chacteristics of political environment.
Nomination process, campaign rules, impact of media, and attitudes of the public including the public opinion polls phenomenon will be examined based on presentations of seminar papers. Attention will be paid to controversial aspects of the selection process.
Language of instruction is Czech.