It is through elections that citizens of a particular country can elect leaders of their choice. Elections give people the right to choose the leaders they would want to serve them. Campaigns are among some of the methods that candidates seeking elective office use to woo voters to turn out in large numbers and vote for them. It is the democratic right of citizens above the age of 18 years to take part in elections and elect their preferred leaders.
What could be done to increase voter turnout?
There is only one way through which voter turnout during an election can be increased. This can only be done by using positive campaign adverts. Campaign adverts used during elections can either be positive, negative, or mixed. Research has shown that candidates use negative campaign tactics whenever they are facing a stiff challenge from their opponents. Negative campaign adverts make people boycott elections. Recent research conducted also reveals that the use of negative campaign tactics may be the main reason why most people only vote for presidential candidates.
Would a program of reforms to increase voting turnout need to focus on the cost of voting, the benefits, or both? What do current reform proposals prioritize?
It is important to come up with effective programs that would help increase voter turnout during elections. It is important that during elections, voters turn out in large numbers and vote for their preferred candidates. These programs should focus mainly on the benefits of voting. People also need to be educated on the advantages of voting. Current programs aimed at increasing voter turnout focus on negative advertising, which makes more people avoiding taking part in elections.
Why not simply make voting compulsory or tie voting to the receipt of government benefits?
It is the democratic right of people to take part in elections. People should never be forced to take part in an election against their will. However, the government and other stakeholders need to come up with proper mechanisms that will encourage people to turn out in large numbers and take part in elections. It is also illegal to threaten people to take part in elections. Citizens who pay taxes are entitled to receive benefits from the government. It would also be impossible to prevent some people from receiving government benefits just because they did take part in elections.
Do you agree with the author’s assessment that television has negatively impacted politics and voters?
I agree with the author’s assessment that television adverts have had negative impacts on politics. It is because many candidates use television adverts to woo voters to vote for them. You will find candidates putting up adverts on various television networks as early as two years before the election. It is aimed at raising their popularity among the voters. This has hurt politics as it is through this media that some candidates attack their opponents and gain undue advantage over them.
These negative campaign techniques have been the main reason why many people don’t take part in elections. This has hurt elections. Voters do not like some of the negative adverts that most candidates use to drum up support for themselves while tarnishing the reputations of their rivals. However, if television adverts were used to campaign without tarnishing the reputation of other politicians, then the negative impacts would be reduced. Candidates should avoid using negative campaign adverts at all costs. Negative campaign adverts make people avoid taking part in elections. It is up to the government to intervene and restore the voters’ faith in the electoral process.
Most politicians that run for an elected position utilize political platforms that emphasize certain benefits to be given to the populace. This can come in the form of proposed resolutions to budgetary problems, controlling spiraling government debt, reduction of violent crime and even providing jobs to millions of individuals that have been put out of work as a direct result of a financial recession.
While such platforms are inherently effective in inciting positive public opinion towards a particular candidate, it is often the case that promises made based on these platforms are not always kept when a candidate is elected into the position they ran for.
While it may be true that political and economic realities often hinder such promises from being carried out, it is rather interesting to realize that a vast majority of people that have been elected into government positions in the past have rarely carried out the actions that they say justifies them as a capable individual for a particular position. The result is a certain degree of stagnation in governmental processes, methods, and procedures wherein the necessary changes that need to be implemented have not been done so due to most of these individuals failing to follow through on promises they made at the start.
Responsibility Lies with the People
It must be noted though that this situation is only partly the fault of elected officials, most of the blame should go to the people that elected in the first place. The election system they put in place rewards inaction, coddling, and lying while at the same time punishes those who want change, speak the truth, and are trying to get people to understand the necessity of enduring certain sacrifices to create an efficient and beneficial system for all.
What must be understood is that the general public often supports candidates that say what they want to hear while they shun those who advocate aspects related to sacrifice and necessity. This has resulted in election campaigns that are inclined towards creating a positive vibe among voters with candidates saying what the voters want to hear yet fail to sufficiently carry out such actions in office. This can be compared to a grade school student election where one candidate promises free candy and no homework yet fails to deliver on such promises when they are elected into their position.
In a real election campaign, it is often seen that candidates make promises to improve the economy, create jobs, and improve the American way of life yet such allusions are filled with pomp and pageantry with no true justification for how this will be carried out with the price of such actions being paid for by the people. Yet, this is what people want to hear and candidates take full advantage of it resulting in a system that facilitates nothing ever getting done because the wrong kind of people is being placed into the right kind of positions.
In light of such facts, it is clear that to advocate a platform that expresses what people don’t want to hear yet contains what needs to be done to remedy current national problems is the same as committing political suicide. Fortunately, I would still choose to propose such changes despite the potentially negative ramifications of my political career.
My Campaign Position
I believe that with the current state of the economy it is necessary to increase tax revenue to help stabilize a chaotic economic system. The reason I advocate such a position is due to the description of tyrants in Plato’s Gorgias in that the very nature of their position makes it so that decisions they make such as scheduling an execution is not based upon committing the action itself or whether the action is good rather for them this is to ensure the continued prosperity of the country.
Another thing to consider is that the underlying point in the provided excerpt is the fact that for people actions tend to be performed not for the sake of the action itself but rather to achieve some other benefit the action provides. When considering both points I believe that by my position I must take action in whatever way I can to help generate awareness regarding a possible solution to the country’s economic woes despite the adverse ramifications this would have on my political career.
Generated Benefit from my Decision
The benefit generated by running under such a campaign is the fact that despite it lessening my chances of winning, people will become more aware of what is necessary to resolve the current economic problems facing the country.
They would be able to judge whether the campaign promises being made by the other candidates would truly be effective in creating effective resolutions. In effect, my proposal of tax increases, despite it potentially being the reason for my loss, could have a lasting impact on public opinion which could save the country from future economic problems. This is of itself goes beyond the act of me running for an election campaign, rather it benefits the people of this country by generating awareness, debate, and a certain amount of realization over what needs to be done.
The US presidential elections attract numerous candidates for nomination through their respective political parties. The nomination occurs during political conventions, which are held after every 4 years in order to nominate the respective political party’s nominee for the presidential post. The nominated candidate adopts the political party’s goals and principles, which are commonly referred to as ‘the platform’. Political offices attract numerous contestants due to the associated benefits (Coleman & Neale, 2001).
Subsequently, politicians undertake intensive campaigns in an effort to ‘sell their ideas’. Therefore, politicians must adopt effective political marketing strategies in order to explain how they intend to create value for the citizens for example, by lowering the cost of living and quality of life. Currently, it is impossible for politicians to avoid adopting various marketing orientations in their quest to run for a particular political office (Rudd, 2009). Marketing is not only essential in winning presidential elections in the United States, but also in positioning oneself as an efficient and effective leader after attaining presidency.
The 2016 US presidential elections have attracted a number of contestants who will battle out for nominations. The candidates belong to the two main political parties, viz. the Democratic Party and the Republic Party. This paper evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the various candidates who have declared their interests for the 2016 presidential nominations and how they have positioned themselves using different marketing strategies.
Analysis of Democratic candidates
Doug Shreffler
He was born on 4 December 1959. Over the years, he has been involved in a number of high-ranking government organizations such as the Central Intelligence Agency and as an envoy with the G4 Classification. He is a graduate of the Wentworth Military Academy. Doug Sheffler has gained substantial knowledge with regard to foreign affairs, which is critical in the US’s effort to develop a strong relationship with the international community. In his quest to become the US president, Sheffler has positioned himself as the best candidate for the American people, as evidenced by his allegiance to the American people and not the ideals upheld by his Democratic Party. This aspect shows the extent to which he is committed to liberating the American people from the rapid polarization.
Sheffler has positioned himself in the US political environment by communicating this vision to the American people, which entails renewing the American beliefs in their government. His core focus is to nurture unity amongst Americans both in the US and abroad. In a bid to achieve this goal, Sheffler will begin his unification efforts with the White House. He believes that the White House has been a major barrier in the country’s unification efforts by following ineffective traditions. In his opinion, preceding presidents such as the Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and George Bush have not been effective on various governance issues. For example, the successive governments have not been effective with regard to leadership, integrity, and honor. Consequently, he intends to adopt a transformational leadership style.
Doug has targeted the general population in his quest to become the US president. Subsequently, he intends to restore and strengthen the country’s social security, which has been watered down over the years. He intends to take into account the best interest for the Americans in order to benefit the future generations. Additionally, he is committed to respecting the citizens by following diplomatic options rather than wars, which have brought suffering to numerous people. Sheffler has adopted different methods in his market communication. One the methods that he has integrated include the Internet and outdoor advertising (The Politics and Governance Portal, 2014a).
Michael Steinberg
Michael Steinberg is a community leader, an attorney, and an advocate for the disabled, the elderly, and veterans. He declared his interest for the Democratic Party nominations in 2013. In his presidential candidacy, Steinberg has targeted the elderly and the disabled. His motivation to consider this group was motivated by the recognition of the low rate of representation and the consideration that these voters’ rights were being ignored by the successive governments. Steinberg has a 30 years experience as a practicing lawyer in Tampa Bay, Florida. Subsequently, he has developed substantial knowledge on the difficulties experienced by the elderly, the veterans, and physically challenged in their quest for justice and having their voice heard by representatives in the White House and the Congress.
In addition to the physically challenged, Steinberg is also committed to ensuring that all the Americans are accorded their rights. Steinberg is committed to developing a smarter and efficient government. In order to achieve this goal, Steinberg has vowed to eliminate all the waste and abuse of office, which are hampering the delivery of services to the American people.
In his quest to be nominated as the Democratic presidential candidate, Steinberg has positioned his political ambitions on a number of issues, which include social security, disability, and social security issues. During his political campaign, Steinberg intends to create awareness on how fraud, corruption, and mismanagement have hindered administration of these programs, which support million of American citizens. Therefore, Steinberg has positioned himself on a platform of fighting corruption.
In a bid to achieve his goal, Steinberg intends to implement modern technology in order to monitor administration of various social security programs. This move will ensure that all Americans receive their retirement’s benefits more effectively and efficiently.
Furthermore, Steinberg has also targeted the business community by advocating strong foreign policy and reform to the countries education system in order to stimulate economic growth. Steinberg is of the opinion that strengthening the country’s education sector will play a remarkable role in promoting economic growth. He believes that strengthening the education system will stimulate entrepreneurship, hence increasing job opportunities. This aspect will play a remarkable role in minimizing the citizens’ overdependence on the social welfare programs, hence reducing the government’s expenditure. The money intended for social welfare will be invested in other economic areas such as education, science, and technology for all citizens.
Steinberg has adopted different marketing communication tools in his public campaign. Some of the tools that he has integrated include Facebook, blogs, and Twitter among others. The decision to adopt these mediums of communication in his public campaign arose from the recognition of the fact that most Americans are using social media in their communication processes. Moreover, Steinberg is also conducting his political campaign through the Democratic Party’s website (The Politics and Governance Portal, 2014b).
Robby Wells
He was born on 10 April 1968 in Clayton, Alabama. He has amassed substantial knowledge in exercise and health science and in adult education. Currently, he is engaged in entrepreneurship in North Carolina. With regard to politics, Robby Wells has positioned himself as a libertarian. However, he is also inclined to liberalism and conservatism.
In his political campaign, Wells advocates a number of issues. First, he intends to ensure that states have more power, which will enhance the effectiveness with which they formulate and implement their legislations. Furthermore, he intends to ensure that businesses pay taxes in accordance to their sign, which means that big businesses will be required to pay more. This aspect is one of the major weaknesses in his quest to run for the US’ presidency.
Increasing the amount of taxes charged on businesses will adversely affect the level of support amongst the business community. Furthermore, Robby Wells has not been in a position to secure substantial support from the Democratic Party. Furthermore, Wells does not have the financial muscle, which is critical in conducting political campaigns. For example, in 2012, his political campaign managed to raise only $20,000, which is not sufficient to conduct a national political campaign (The Politics and Governance Portal, 2014c).
Wells has differentiated his candidacy by advocating a number of economic issues. This goal has been achieved by adopting the concept of ‘Eaglenomics’, which entails combining the right wing, left wing, government programs, and free markets in promoting economic growth. His focus is on a number of economic issues, which include
Creating prosperity and employment for all Americans
Stimulating the country’s international trade in order to reverse the trade account from deficit to surplus
Revamping the country’s tax code
Restoring the US social security in order to enhance the citizen’s financial health
Strengthening the country’s security and healthcare system
Redesigning the country’s banking system and the education sector
Wells has adopted different marketing communication methods in his political campaign. One of the methods includes undertaking the campaign through the Internet. He has clearly outlined his political ambitions by designing an official website known as Robby Wells President 2016. Furthermore, he has also adopted public relations as a tool in his political campaign. For example, he addresses the US citizens on different issues during major events such as commemoration days.
Republic candidates
Brian Russell
He announced his candidature for the 2016 presidential election upon recognition of the enormous mismanagement of the US economy. One of his major strengths is that he had developed sufficient knowledge and experience on business management. Over the years, Brian Russell has succeeded as an entrepreneur and innovator within the financial industry with the goal of restoring and stimulating the US’s economic growth.
His main target in the presidential nomination race is the business community. He believes that successive governments in the US have failed due to lack of sufficient business management skills. Subsequently, previous governments have been ineffective in their legislative roles. Most US presidents have been formulating policies without understanding what the common citizens need and their effect on the general population. He intends to weed out corruption in awarding of tenders in order to ensure that the public is optimally served. Russell has adopted social media such as Facebook and Twitter as his marketing communications mediums (The Politics and Governance Portal, 2014d).
Peter King
He was born on 5 April 1944 in Queens. Currently, he is the representative of New York in the Congress. One of his major strengths is that he has substantial knowledge with regard to politics, which emanates from his education as a political scientist. Peter King has targeted the working groups in different economic sectors who have been overlooked over the years by the Republican politicians. In his opinion, King asserts that the Republican Party has continuously alleviated the various working groups such as building trades unions, construction workers, engineers, the service men, and fire fighters amongst other groups. Therefore, he intends to appeal to these voters in his quest to attain nomination for Presidential Candidacy by the Republic Party (The Politics and Governance Portal, 2014e).
King has been involved in various leadership positions. In 1977, he was elected to be the head of Hempstead City Council, a position he held for 4 years. He was later joined Nassau County as the comptroller. Subsequently, he has gained substantial knowledge on leadership.
Despite these strengths, various republicans have criticized King’s leadership style for being non-inclusive and for his failure to nurture collaboration amongst leader in other positions. Some of the main critics of Peter King include Ted Cruz and Rand Paul. Furthermore, various Tea Party Republicans have also criticized King for his abusive language. Analysts view King’s stance on various issues such as gun control and foreign policy could adversely affect his candidature. In an effort to seek support from US citizens, Peter King has adopted different market communication methods. One of these methods entails visiting primary states in an effort to drum support from the citizens. One of the states that he has already toured includes New Hampshire. Furthermore, Peter King is also conducting his campaign on various digital mediums such as Twitter and Facebook (The Politics and Governance Portal, 2014e).
Michael Kinlaw
He was born on 20 December 1972 in Houston, Texas. He announced his presidential ambition in 2013. He has positioned himself as the ideal leader for the average American citizen. Subsequently, he has targeted the average American citizen has his core market segment. One of his major weaknesses arises from the fact that he has never held any political office. Subsequently, he intends to venture into new territory, which illustrates his risk-taking characteristic. Kinlaw has been a strong critic of his own political party, the Tea Party. Subsequently, he is strong willed with regard to implementing change.
In his political campaign, Kinlaw has illustrated his commitment towards improving the country’s foreign policy, immigration policy, and gun rights. In his political campaign, Kinlaw argues that illegal aliens are in the US illegally, which shows that he is mainly concerned with improving the security of the average American citizen. Kinlaw has also differentiated his candidature as a Republican candidate by advocating for strict austerity measures in order to control the government spending. One of the measures that he is advocating relates to reducing the size of the federal government. Additionally, he advocates the elimination of foreign aid. Kinlaw is also strong crusader of gay rights (The Politics and Governance Portal, 2014f).
Critics argue that his stance on foreign aid may adversely affect his political career, which arises from the fact that the US will experience a reduction in the volume of international trade with other countries. Furthermore, the elimination of foreign aid will hinder the US’s effort to collaborate with other countries in fighting social ills such as terrorism. Kinlaw has web-based technologies such as Facebook and Twitter in his public campaign. His strength with regard to criticizing those in the government has made him attract numerous followers on social media.
Conclusion
This paper shows that the various contenders for the 2016 presidential elections in the US have adopted different marketing strategies in their political campaigns. The politicians have integrated diverse marketing communication, positioning, targeting, and differentiation strategies. However, their success in the nomination process will depend on how they communicate their vision to the voters.
References
Coleman, K., & Neale, T. (2001). Presidential elections in the United States; a primer. Huntington, OH: Novinka Books. Web.
Rudd, C. (2009). Global political marketing. New York, NY: Routledge. The Politics and Governance Portal: Brian Russell. Web.
The Politics and Governance Portal: Doug Shreffler. (2014a). Web.
The Politics and Governance Portal: Michael Kinlaw. (2014f). Web.
The Politics and Governance Portal: Michael Steinberg. (2014b). Web.
The Politics and Governance Portal: Peter King. (2014e). Web.
The Politics and Governance Portal: Robby Wells. (2014c). Web.
With less than two years left for the next Canada Federal Elections to be held, the political landscape is slowly shaping up and major political parties are involved in all manner of preparation (Cournoyer, 2013). According to Puzic (2013), three candidates will be contesting in the 2015 elections. Stephen Harper is expected to fly the Conservative Party’s flag while Justin Trudeau and Thomas Mulcair will be vying on the Liberal Party and New Democrats Party tickets respectively.
Arguably, the popularity of the Liberal Party has been affected by the election of Justin Trudeau as its leader (Grenier, 2013). This notwithstanding, some people are of the opinion that Trudeau will emerge victorious because of his unique ideas and style of leadership. Backed by a strong political marketing team, it is alleged that the Liberal Party will triumph over the Conservatives and the New Democrats.
This paper provides an analysis of who will win the upcoming Canada Federal Elections and focuses more on the marketing campaigns being used by the political parties.
Political Marketing Strategies
Political marketing may be defined as the application of marketing concepts to political campaigns so as to package political activities and messages in a way that appeals to voters. Discussing political marketing in Canada, Borins (2013) contends that the use of effective political marketing strategies during political campaigns plays a critical role in determining the outcome of elections. It is thus advisable for political parties to study the political environment in order to come up the best political marketing strategies for specific campaigns.
As explained by Marland (2005), political marketing also refers to the use of opinion research to plan and execute a well-organized political campaign. Based on the information provided by pollsters, political parties may decide to either use advertising or direct marketing to attract voters. However, it is prudent to rely on a strategic marketing approach.
While Stephen Harper will focus on ensuring that the government can effectively deal with the opposition, it is obvious that both Mulcair and Trudeau will make every effort to demonstrate to voters that their parties and ideologies are different from those of the Conservative Party (Grenier, 2013). Being the incumbent, the Conservative Party is likely to do everything possible to persuade voters to remain loyal. There is, however, a price to pay for being the incumbent party. Arguably, both the Liberal Party and the New Democrats Party may use attack advertisements to paint a negative picture of the Conservative Party in order to lower its popularity before the next elections.
As has been pointed out, the Conservative Party will certainly be relying on the fact that it is the incumbent party to deal with opponents. Ostensibly, the party has a good economic track record and analysts believe that this may give it a competitive advantage over the other parties (Puzic, 2013). Conservatives are regarded as the best economic policy makers and consequently, voters are convinced that the Conservative Party is the right party to drive Canada’s economic agenda. While this is true, the New Democrats Party and the Liberal Party are seen to be closer to voters than the Conservative Party.
Led by Stephen Harper, the Conservative Party is very keen on using its Constituency Management Information System to obtain important details about voters. There is a possibility that the party may also use attack advertisements to discredit its opponents and lure specific groups of voters. The party also has policies that are designed to enable it reach voters who for a very long time have been marginalized (Borins, 2013). Apparently, the New Democrats Party benefited by adopting a similar approach in an earlier campaign. There is a high probability that this political marketing strategy will be used by all the parties during campaigns to prepare for the 2015 elections. Through their strategies, the political marketing team behind Harper’s campaigns is determined to portray him as a charismatic leader who cares so much about his constituents while downplaying his shortcomings.
To popularize his party among voters, the leader of the New Democrats Party intends to focus on issues that mostly affect consumers. The party is also seeking to ensure that service providers charge a moderate fee for important services (Ibbitson, 2014). The New Democrats political marketing team also intends to use attack advertisements to depict Harper as an exhausted leader with nothing new to offer the people of Canada. At the same time, Mulcair’s political marketing team is determined to portray Trudeau as an inexperienced leader with very few convictions and policies lead Canada.
Among other approaches, the political marketing team for Justin Trudeau might turn to the use of online interviews to reach voters. His Liberal Party will also use attack advertisements during its campaigns to depict itself as a stronger party in comparison to other parties. Trudeau’s political marketing team may also utilize strategies used by the rest to counter their moves.
Influence of Brands on Voter Behavior
According to Barrett (2014), Justin Trudeau’s proposal to remove Senators from the House of Commons is bound to have a huge impact on the behavior of voters. Apparently, there is need to enlighten Canadians on the importance of eliminating the Senate. By choosing this as his campaign brand, it is alleged that the Liberal Party, led by Trudeau, will impact scores of voters across Canada. Since there are many people who are convinced that the Senate has performed dismally during the Conservative Party’s era, Trudeau decided to take a tough stand on the matter in order to strengthen his campaigns (Barrett, 2014).
Various pollsters are in agreement that the idea of removing Senators is a major boost for Trudeau’s campaigns. Some analysts are convinced that his chosen brand may cause voters to think that he has something totally different to offer unlike his competitors. Pollsters also claim that his brand may pose a serious problem for his competitors. The unity in the Liberal Party may also give it an advantage over its competitors. According to Puzic (2013), the Liberal Party lost to the Conservative Party in the last elections as a result of the division that existed within the party.
The New Democrats Party leader appears to be ahead of his competitors for his convincing performance during Question Period to discuss the Senate scandal (Barrett, 2014). When depicted against Trudeau and Harper, Mulcair stands out in this regard. Nevertheless, it is obvious that the leader of the New Democrats Party still faces stiff competition from both Trudeau and Harper. Mulcair’s strength during Question Period may also not be a very good reason to entice voters after all. Unlike voters in the past generations, the current generation of voters is keen to elect a leader with unique qualities and one who appears to have completely new ideas from what the political climate has presented to voters over the years.
As noted earlier, Stephen Harper’s brand mostly focuses on the marginalized individuals throughout Canada. Apparently, Harper is a strong leader and promises low taxation and improved economic growth for the people of Canada. The Conservative Party has also received praises from most Canadians for its well crafted economic policies that are specifically meant to put Canada on the right path to economic growth. Unfortunately, the Conservative Party must address the many concerns raised regarding the Senate scandal that is now worrying most voters. Realizing that the Senate issue was very a heavy matter and an important consideration for the voters, Justin Trudeau chose to use it as a basis for his campaign brand.
Harper also promises to address the problem of income inequality among the Canadian people. Arguably, this is meant to reduce the burden of tax on families with children under the age of 18 years. While the tax strategy worked for the party during the last election period in Canada, critics have argued that the promise of tax reduction may not be consequential for the 2015 elections (Wyatt, 2014). It is thus advisable for Harper’s political marketing team to come up with other winning strategies.
Positioning of the Parties and their Political Leaders
Based on their brands and political marketing strategies, the parties and their leaders are viewed differently by voters. The Liberal Party is generally regarded by voters as an innovative party that promises a new way of doing things. The brand used Justin Trudeau is an indication that the party is ready to try new ideas in order to change the status quo. The proposal by the party leader to get rid of the Senate is especially a welcome move and one that is considered quite unique by voters.
Although Mulcair has been singled out as an active participant during Question Period, he is yet to gain popularity among the Canadian voters. Despite his efforts to compel the Conservative Party to take responsibility about the Senate scandal, his party still has a long way to go in order to prove to Canadian voters that it can deliver. Mulcair and his political marketing team are largely regarded as non reformers. Consequently, the New Democrats Party has so much to do to ensure that the party can successfully compete.
Harper’s party has the advantage of being the incumbent party. However, being the incumbent party presents a number of challenges to its campaign efforts. First, there are those promises made by the government during the previous election campaign period that must be fulfilled. Failure to do so may give voters a reason to doubt the party’s credibility and ability to deliver on its promises. Secondly, the party is faced with a scandal involving the Senate and this has put it at a position where the leader and his political marketing team have to do whatever it takes to rebuild the party’s reputation.
To critics as well as to some voters, Stephen Harper does not seem to have any new ideas that can possibly benefit the people of Canada. Some voters are, however, convinced that the Conservative Party is the best party to drive the economy of Canada. While the Conservative Party has managed to formulate good economic policies that are requisite to the growth of Canada’s economy, it has scored very poorly in other areas such as the environment. The various challenges the party is faced with also give opponents a chance to criticize its leadership. Accordingly, it is essential for the Stephen Harper and his political marketing team to return to the drawing board and work out a strategy that will help it to reconstruct its public image. Lack of unity made the Liberal Party lose during the last elections and the same might happen to the Conservative Party in 2015 unless something radical is done to redeem the party’s reputation and to deal with internal conflict.
Voting Segments
The main focus for the Liberal Party is Quebec. Unlike the other parties, the Liberal Party appears to have a strong following in Quebec. However, there is stiff competition from the other parties. Every leader is working hard to ensure that his party is not left out and all parties are interested in pursuing voters at whatever cost. Ottawa is one of the geographical areas targeted by the Conservative Party. Unlike the other parties, the main focus of the Conservative Party is to reach the marginalized groups in Canada. Among other changes, the party proposes a lower rate of taxation and income equality throughout Canada. Whether this will materialize is, however, yet to be seen. Although Ottawa is the stronghold for the Conservative Party, the other parties also have an interest. Similar to the Liberal Party, the New Democrats Party will be looking at Quebec besides other places (Graefe & Kiss, 2013).
Trends in Political Polling
The competition is stiff and all parties are gearing up for success in the upcoming 2015 Canadian elections. An observation of the trends in political polling however indicates that there will be an overwhelming victory for the Liberal Party under the leadership of Justin Trudeau. Ostensibly, this is linked to the fact that the party is seen to have fresh ideas which most voters are looking for.
Political polling trends also indicate that Trudeau is in a better position to win the upcoming Canada elections. In spite of the fact that it has few members of parliament unlike its two competitors, analysts argue that the Liberal Party can rise above its challenges and emerge the winner in 2015. Looking at trends in political polling, the New Democrats Party has a lot of work to do to gain political mileage before the next elections. Despite being outspoken on a number of areas, it has integrity issues that must be addressed.
The Use of Social Media
Social media networks present political parties with a wonderful campaign tool (Marland, Giasson & Lees-Marshment, 2011). The success of social media networks in political campaigns, however, depends so much on how effectively they are used. In the United States, for example, President Barrack Obama’s campaign team used social media networks quite well to popularize the party and to reach targeted audiences. In the present world, almost all leaders have realized the benefits associated with the use of social media networks during political campaigns. Leaders are thus turning to the use of social media networks to strengthen their political campaigns.
Looking at the political scenario in Canada, the candidate who is most likely to use social media networks to enrich his campaigns is Justin Trudeau, the leader of the Liberal Party. Unlike his competitors, Justin Trudeau seems to be more creative and ready to try out new ideas to get things moving. Given the competitive nature of the upcoming Canadian elections, however, it is quite obvious that every candidate will ensure that his campaign team uses any available strategy to reach and woo voters.
Undoubtedly, the use of social media networks will enable political parties to deliver their messages to voters faster. If used well, social media networks will also enable political parties to send out messages to so many voters regardless of the means of communication at their disposal. The advanced technology in use today permits parties to contact voters using various means including mobile devices. Certainly, boundaries that existed in earlier campaigns are no longer a problem. The political marketing teams for the different parties must thus take time to understand how best to leverage the existing technology. Clearly, effective application of technology and especially social media networks will lead to a successful campaign.
Estimate of the Number of MPs
Despite the fact that the Conservative Party currently has the highest number of seats in parliament followed by the New Democrats Party, it seems obvious that the Liberal Party will have the highest number of seats in the next Canadian elections. Currently, the Conservative Party has 161 members of parliament followed by the New Democrats Party with 99 members. The Liberal Party is at position three with 36 seats (Ibbitson, 2014). Although it may appear unreasonable, it is possible for the Liberal Party to garner the most number of seats in during the 2015 elections in Canada. Nevertheless, the party must work extremely hard to develop a powerful political marketing strategy that will help it compete effectively.
As pointed out earlier, the Liberal Party is ready to try new strategies and its leader has chosen a brand that resonates quite well with voters. As a result, the party is likely to attract more voters than its competitors. With a powerful political marketing team in place and a leader who is focused on distinguishing himself from the rest, it is certainly possible for the party to rise and become the best.
Conclusion
From the discussion presented in this paper, there is a very high possibility that the Liberal Party will win the upcoming elections in Canada. Considering that Justin Trudeau appears to have unique ideas, he might have an easy time convincing voters. Although the Conservative Party is the incumbent, winning the next election will not be an easy task. The party has received praise for its great economic policies but victory in an election depends on many other factors as well. The Conservative Party has also been criticized for the Senate scandal and this has given its rivals a good campaign ground. Stephen Harper is also portrayed as an old fashioned leader without new ideas to move the country forward. The New Democrats Party on the other hand does not seem to enjoy popularity among Canadian voters. Mulcair has, however, been exemplary during Question Period.
To succeed, it will be necessary for the Liberal Party to have an aggressive political marketing team with a strong desire to succeed. The party should make use of available social media networks to communicate with supporters and to ensure that its messages reach as many voters as possible. It will also be necessary for the party to understand its strengths and weaknesses in order to know how best to conduct its campaigns. Trudeau’s political marketing teams should also seek to understand the strategies being used by competitors in order to devise countermeasures that will enable it to succeed in a competitive environment.
References
Barrett, J. (2014). Political Scientist, Pollster Call Justin Trudeau Senate Move a Smart Branding Strategy. Web.
Borins, S. (2013). Susan Delacourt’s Shopping for Votes: Playing the Ball or Playing the Person? Web.
The advent of information technology has brought a new idea on how computers and the internet can be used in voting (Burmester and Emmanouil 63). This is part of electronic democracy. In electronic voting, there are no papers used in the actual voting (Alvarez and Thad 2). The electronic voting has presented a platform for advancing e-democracy globally. However, several people and authorities oppose the idea of e-voting.
They claim that the ruling government and software and hardware developers threaten the idea of e-voting. On the other hand, its proponents suggest that it is the high time all states shifted to e-voting which is free form human error. They argue that computers can not manipulate votes, but humans can do, in favour of a candidate. That notwithstanding, benefits of e-voting outweigh those of paper-based voting (Alvarez and Thad 102). Thus, e-voting should be given all the necessary attention in states to ensure a full shift to digital democracy in the future.
Background
Alvarez and Thad (4) argue that e-elections probably started in 1964 when 7 states in the US adopted the system. This was used for presidential elections. The e-voting system began with the use of computers for counting or tabulation. Here, votes were manually cast, and then counting of the ballot was done using computers. This was a step towards reducing human error associated with the physical counting by man. This system used punched ballot papers that could be recognized by the computers during counting. However, the current systems that are being developed and tested in the developed nations involve voting and counting of ballot electronically (Lilleker and Nigel 2).
Traditionally, and even today, many countries have been using paper-based voting system where citizens register as voters, vote and vote counting is done manually. This is still the preferred method of voting in many countries today. Burmester and Emmanouil (67) claim that technological, political and financial implications are some of the factors that have deterred these states from shifting to the e-elections.
Body
Many nations have expressed fears over rising cases of voter apathy and low voter turn out. This has been blamed on low voter education by the bodies conducting elections and the concerned political parties. Several strategies have been put forth to address these issues that undermine democracy (Adler and Thad 152). One of the key solutions is to make the elections easy to conduct and make them voter-friendly. Lilleker and Nigel (10) argue that electronic voting presents a platform on which future elections are to be based. It is an easier and faster method than the paper-based voting system. For instance, in 2000 voter turnout in the USA reached 59% while that of the youth aged 19 to 24 years reached 39%.
This was a test of promoting democracy through electronic elections. Voters with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in democracy by voting their preferred candidates easily. Illiterate voters can also ensure that they have chosen a candidate of their choice. Electronic voting provides intent to the voter where the voter confirms that he/she has voted, and the vote is valid; it will not be spoilt and ends up missing in the final counting. Electronic voting system uses electronic ballots that ensure at no point will the ballots get exhausted, unlike the paper-based system where the ballots can get depleted and cause panic. The electronic ballots are cheaper than the physical ballots (Alvarez and Thad 50).
Critics to this new method of elections have maintained that the system is prone to fraud and unfair election results (Faliszewski, Hemaspaandra, and Hemaspaandra 310). The argument is that the sitting government may order for electronic gadgets that are designed to work in their favor. In addition, the software and hardware engineers involved in the design of e-voting systems may develop systems that are programmed to favor on side (Adler and Thad 148).
In the 2012 elections, in the USA, several states were faced with system glitches during the Election Day. For instance, touch screens were not working in Pennsylvania, machines wrongly identified the presidential candidates in Virginia. In fact, voting was reversed to the old paper-based system in Virginia due to technical obstacles of the electronic voting machines. These happenings worked to undermine the democratic process of elections. Faliszewski, Hemaspaandra, and Hemaspaandra (358) also argue that computer viruses and hacking may be a potential threat to free and clear e-elections.
Gritzalis (156) argue that, with well designed and pre-tested e-voting systems, e-elections can be conducted in a hitch-free manner and help promote democracy. It has been suggested that the laws directing to electronic elections should be passed to facilitate the change.
In addition, studies have shown that technical hitches just happen at the start of the implementation but reduce with time (Lilleker and Nigel 12). Furthermore, Lilleker and Nigel (15) have suggested that there should be interplay among the campaigns, elections and the internet for successful elections. This further stresses the need to incorporate information technology into the elections system.
Conclusion
An electronic election is applications of the information technology in voter registration, voting and vote counting. It presents a model of free and fair electronic globally. Although it has been faced with a myriad of shortcomings, it still holds the future of democratic elections in the future. Several factors have been hindering the update of electronic elections. Some of these are; slow changes of laws, inadequate technological knowledge by election boy officials, high cost of implementation, and fear of fraud in elections, just but to name a few.
When the system is well implemented, electronic elections make elections accessible, fair and open. They promote voter turnout and address issues of early voting and absentee voting, thus are so convenient to the voter. The benefits of electronic elections outweigh those of the traditional paper-based method. Critics of the new system of elections should reconsider their stand and join advocates to promote and enhance the uptake and progress of e-elections in states.
Works Cited
Adler, E. Scott, and Thad E. Hall. “Ballots, Transparency, and Democracy.” Election Law Journal 12.2 (2013): 146-161. Print.
Alvarez, R. Michael, and Thad Hall. Electronic Elections: The Perils and Promises of Digital Democracy. Princeton University Press, 2010. Print.
Burmester, Mike, and Emmanouil Magkos. Towards Secure and Practical E-Elections in the New era: Secure Electronic Voting. New York: Springer, 2003. 63-76. Print.
Faliszewski, Piotr, Edith Hemaspaandra, and Lane Hemaspaandra. “Multimode control attacks on elections.” Journal of Artificial Intelligence Research 40.1 (2011):305-351. Print.
Lilleker, Darren, and Nigel Jackson. Political Campaigning, Elections and the Internet: Comparing the US, UK, France and Germany. London, UK: Routledge, 2011. Print.
An election in the United States is essentially a contest between the republicans and the democrats. The elections are divided into several categories. This paper focuses for the most part on the primary elections. In addition, it seeks to review chapter six of the Plunkitt of Tammany to justify his method of winning. The paper also seeks to explain the difference between open and closed primary elections.
Explain Whether Plunkitt’s Method of Winning Is Legitimate or Illegitimate
Plunkitt of Tammany Hall’s method of winning is legitimate. He simply explored one of the most effective strategies to win his district. His method was based on understanding the human way of thinking. In an election, all candidates seeking to convince the electorate that they deserve the position. Plunkitt believes in philanthropic politics (Riordon 37). He claims that the electorates are not interested in campaign letters and update emails (Riordon 37).
The electorates are looking for a leader who shows concern and one who is sensitive to their needs. His plan is very legitimate because it addresses the issues of the electorate directly and that is what leaders should do. He has developed a regular system, which enables him to interact with poor families (Riordon 37). Some may argue that this is just a way to win the electorates’ trust but Plunkitt sees it differently.
He plays his role as a leader and provides solutions to the problems facing his people (Riordon 36). The electorates are looking for leaders who can solve their problems and reduce their suffering. Plunkitt goes down to the people to identify and know them personally, which proves his concern for their welfare and his commitment to share and understand their problems (Riordon 37).
Explain the difference between Open and Closed Primary Elections
Open Primaries
In an open primary election, the ballot is open to every person who wishes to vote regardless of his or her political affiliation (McCarthy par. 5). This means that if the democrats are holding their primaries, the republicans and the libertarians are allowed to vote for their preferred candidate. Open primary elections do not restrict people affiliated with other parties from voting. The recent Mississippi elections were marred with irregularities because of this (“Foxnews: McDaniel takes step to challenge Mississippi election” par. 6).
Closed Primaries
The closed primary elections are restrictive and exclusive to registered members only (McCarthy par. 5). A closed primary restricts other people affiliated with other parties from participating in the elections. If Mississippi had closed primary elections, the double voting claim filed by McDaniel would not have occurred (“Huffington: Chris McDaniel Will Challenge Results of Mississippi GOP Primary Runoff Election” par. 6).
Discuss which type of primary, closed or open you think is best and explain why
In my opinion, the closed primary election process is better compared to the open primary election. One of the main advantages is that the latter impedes malicious voting. People affiliated with other parties can conspire to give support to the candidate that they consider to have less support to increase their party nominee’s chances of winning the election. In Mississippi, the results showed that McDonald was not able to reach the 50% mark in the primaries therefore there will be a runoff (“Politico: Mississippi Senate Primaries Results” par. 9)
Open primaries allow members of a rival party to vote and like in the Mississippi elections, this can be tragic (“Foxnews: McDaniel takes step to challenge Mississippi election” par. 5). Unregistered members are not committed to seeing the party succeeding. Using the closed primaries procedure, only the registered members can vote therefore the party nominates their best candidate to run for the elections (McCarthy par. 5).
Conclusion
This paper has clearly reviewed and justified Plunkitt’s method of wooing the electorate. It has described his method as purely philanthropic politics. The paper has also explained the meaning of closed and open primaries. At the end of this essay, a preferred type of primary election has been explained.
Works Cited
Foxnews: McDaniel takes step to challenge Mississippi election 2014. Web.
Huffington: Chris McDaniel Will Challenge Results of Mississippi GOP Primary Runoff Election 2014. Web.
In 2008, an unexampled event took place in the United States. For the first time in the history of the country, the Presidency was taken by an African American candidate. This became a great victory in the fight of the black population of the United States for the vindication of their rights and freedoms. Also, this was a time, when America made a great step ahead in the area of racial discrimination. Obama’s victory was not a mere coincidence. He won it using several serious efforts. In the following passages, the bases of power, used by Obama to win the Presidency in 2008 will be addressed in detail.
First, Obama’s presidential company relied on his inimitable charisma as the base of power. Obama made important steps on his road to the desired position without a fail. After his victory, Obama confessed that he thought about the office of the presidency even in kindergarten. Even while in law school, Obama started talking about running for high office (Walton and Smith 154). Thus, his ambitions were of high level even in youth. When he was in Harvard, he was chosen as “the first African American elected president of the law review” (Walton and Smith 154). After he graduated from Harvard, he decided to continue realizing his potential in politics even though he had a great opportunity to choose a place in a business that guaranteed high levels of annual income. In 2004, when Obama won in “the fight for the Senate”, he became a new star in American politics (Walton and Smith 154). Since that moment, more and more political analysts started believing in the possibility of his victory in the presidential election. They were not mistaken as in 2008, Obama’s unparalleled charisma served as the base of power helping him win the office.
Next, the appeal of this candidate to the public is a special phenomenon in American politics. His authority among the voters is based on special foundations. Obama is not only a politician, but he has a lot of remarkable character traits and skills, enabling him to win the race for the presidency. For instance, he is an incredible spokesman and a skilled writer. He used these skills to write a book about his biography that left a trace in the very heart of every voter. The book Dream from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance became Obama’s platform, in which he represented himself as a new kind of politician. He explained his innovations as the gift to be a “transracial” leader, who was able to lead the country past the racial discrimination issues. In his manifesto to the nation, Obama explained why he was so sure in his future success as the President of the United States and the new kind of a leader:
I chose to run for president at this moment in history because I believe deeply that we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together, unless we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction: toward a better future… I have brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles and cousins of every race and every hue scattered across three continents. And for as long as I live, I will never forget that in no other country on earth is my story even possible (Walton and Smith 155, 156).
Thus, Obama’s authority among the people of the country played a key role.
Finally, Obama’s campaign had one of the biggest budgets in the history of the United States. The fundraising for this campaign was insignificant dependent on the Internet recourses such as Yahoo, Google, and Microsoft search engines. Multiple donors of small size donated $100 million through these services (Walton and Smith 156). That was the biggest amount from such sources in history. During the whole campaign, the future President was able to collect $240 million (Walton and Smith 156). The money was used for the unprecedented election campaign in the United States. Obama’s opponent, Hillary Clinton, had only $195 million. To be able to compete, she had to borrow $20 million from her recourses (Walton and Smith 156).
In conclusion, in Obama’s election campaign many bases of power were used to provide him with the victory. First of all, this is his incredible charisma. He was sure to become the President even in the early years of his life. Secondly, this is Obama’s authority among people. He was able to persuade millions of Americans that he was “the one” due to the peculiarities of the situation in the country. Finally, the other important base of power in Obama’s campaign was money. Obama was able to raise $240 million. This amount of money was one of the best performances in the United States. With such an election capital of her opponent, Hillary Clinton was not able to effectively compete in the race.
Works Cited
Walton, Hanes, and Robert Smith. American politics and African American Quest for Universal Freedom, (6th ed.), New York: Pearson, 2011. Print.
The 2016 election campaigns are gaining momentum, and anyone can tell that this will be one of the most competitive elections that the country has ever seen. My assumption is based on a reflection on the individuals who have already shown their interest in occupying the highest office in the land. Hilary Clinton and Jeb Bush are among the most admirable contestants in the oncoming elections. With regard to the anticipated 2016 race to the Whitehouse, I believe three main political hot button issues will be at the center of all the candidates’ campaigns.
One of the major hot button issues which I think will attract a lot of attention from voters is the escalating national debt. The American economy has been volatile for the last two decades. Under the leadership of President Bush, the national debt doubled and later tripled under Obama’s administration (Killough, par. 6).
The American electorates are longing for a stable economy where jobs and opportunities are available for all. This will, therefore, prove to be a major political issue during the campaigns as the leaders seek to influence voters to vote in their favor. Economic and financial issues have always been critical issues that draw the electorate’s interest and shape political debates (Killough, par. 6). In addition to the national debt, the issue of gender and equality is another concern among the electorate. American has always made history over the years for being pioneers in many areas (Killough, par. 8).
The anticipation of a female president is gradually arising among the electorate, and many people feel that it is time to allow a female to be the president of the United States. This are major issues that I predict will be the source of the election debate just like it was during Obama’s first election. With this regard, the secretary of state, Hilary Clinton, will be the female candidate to beat in the 2016 elections (Adams, par. 13). Some of the factors that influenced Obama’s election might work for her as well. The probability of having a female president is exiting many voters, and this may increase the percentage of voter turnout, especially among the female gender. The election of a female president will be a sign of the American people’s commitment to fighting discrimination among individuals based on their gender (Adams, par. 14). Equality and gender sensitivity will enhance voter turnout by influencing and encouraging female voters to get involved in large numbers.
Lastly, the issue of privacy and surveillance will definitely be a point of interest in November 2016. People are worried about the current tapping cases that have been happening, and the government being part of it is a major concern (Jaffe and Bash, par. 12). In order to impress the young generation, leaders will have to trade carefully on the issue of phone tapping. Paul, a Republican presidential hopeful, keeps assuring the electorates whenever he has to make a comment that it is none of the government’s business to know and monitor its citizens’ call logs. The right to digital privacy is a big issue in the US today, and he is expected to be one of the greatest political issues in the 2016th general election (Jaffe and Bash, par. 15).
This issue is very important because it affects the youth who make up more than 70% of the total voters (Jaffe and Bash, par. 17). As the campaigns begin to gain momentum, one can only wait to see how the events will unfold.
Works Cited
Adams, Myra. 16 Reasons Why Hillary Clinton Will Win 2016. Web.
Jaffe, Alexander and Dana Bash. He’s in: Marco Rubio announces WH bid. 2015. Web.
The industrial revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries transformed nations and empowered individuals to seek equality, justice, and freedom from oppression. People realized the need to establish institutions that will safeguard their interests and promote the development of economic, political, and social structures. Democracy became a reality and dictators started to realize the need to respect the rights of other people. It is necessary to explain that people died and the property was destroyed during the struggle for independence in most nations. Therefore, people enjoy the freedom of democracy, even though most of them do not know what their forefathers experienced to make their countries independent. Colonialism, illiteracy, poverty, and diseases are some of the barriers that hindered the attainment of freedom in most nations. This research paper compares various issues surrounding elections in Japan and China.
Independence in Japan and China
Japan is respected by many nations because it has never been under any colony. Other nations were colonized for different periods, but Japan maintained its sovereignty and independence for many years. History explains that the closest this country came to being colonized was during the Second World War when the United States wanted to control it (Thies 2010). However, the colonizers managed to occupy the island of Okinawa for twenty years. The history of Japan dates back to the 18th century when it had already united and formed a central government. It is important to explain that the fact that Japan was never colonized does not mean that it did not experience conflicts. The Mongols tried to invade Japan several times, but this government was strong and defeated its attackers (Grofman 2009). It is important to explain that unity among the Japanese, availability of funds, and a strong political and civil awareness enabled Japan to remain free of outside authorities. Europeans were welcome in Japan during the 16th century, but their influence on the locals was restricted. In addition, contact with the outside world was cut for two centuries when Tokugawa Shogunate united the Japanese and ensured their culture was not interfered with by the western world (Thies 2010). The modernization program launched in Japan during the 19th century enabled this country to defeat Russia in the First World War. However, Japan made a mistake by venturing into a mission of securing resources and the introduction of imperialism in its leadership that made it go to war with China and America. This weakened its military and financial resources and made this government cede part of its island to the United States. The Japanese remained united and focused on the need to develop their economy, strengthen their political institutions and protect the cultural interests of the locals (Kinston 2012).
On the other hand, the history of China is very complicated because this country was initially a kingdom ruled by several leaders (Diamond 2009). However, the China of today got independence in 1949 after the collapse of the Qing Dynasty in 1912 but before this, it had been ruled for more than 2000 years by warlords and foreign powers. The defeat of the Chinese Nationalist Party in 1928 marked the beginning of Taiwan’s cessation from China. This country has experienced various political, military, and economic missteps that have exposed it to its enemies (He 2008). This explains why China has suffered various economic and political setbacks and managed to be an independent state recently when other nations had already become sovereign. The most unique aspect about China is that it involved its cultural practices in politics to ensure it maintained its tradition. This explains why this country continues to boast of a rich traditional heritage despite its investments in modern technology.
Elections in Japan
The election system in Japan operates like that of other nations, even though there may be some minor differences. There are three elections in Japan and they include filling offices for the prime minister, members of the House of Representatives, and House of Councilors (Thies 2010). The National Diet is responsible for electing the prime minister, which is usually held when the cabinet resigned or is dissolved and when the seat falls vacant. It is necessary to explain that the cabinet must resign as one after the election of members of the House of Representatives. In addition, the National Diet can elect a prime minister when the incumbent is incapacitated or when this house is not dissolved by a vote of no-confidence (Grofman 2009). Both houses must vote in two-round elections to elect the office bearer; however, the votes of members of the House of Representatives are very influential, and even if there is a tie the prime minister-designate will be the candidate of this house. The office-bearer must be ceremonially appointed by the Emperor of Japan; therefore, he does not have the power to appoint a prime minister but accept the offer made by the National Diet (Kinston 2012). Therefore, the prime minister of Japan must always be on good terms with members of the House of Representatives because they determine his office life.
General elections in Japan are triggered by the following events. First, Japan conducts general elections after every four years and this is a constitutional requirement that must be respected by leaders and civilians. This means that political leaders must prepare to vacate their offices after every four years and seek a fresh mandate from the electorate. In addition, general elections can be conducted when members of the House of Representatives resign due to long-term illness or personal preferences. This gives the electoral body 90 days to conduct fresh elections while the seat of the prime minister remains vacant until when the results of the new elections are announced and the office bearer is sworn in. The dissolution of the lower house (House of Representatives) can also trigger general elections to elect members to these offices because they are government representatives at the local levels
The general election is held after every four years and this involves voting for the members of the House of Representatives. These elections also involve voting for regional representatives (480) that play important roles in the legislation of policies, budget planning, and ensuring that the constitution is implemented. However, when a member of the House of Representatives dies, resigns, or is expelled from his office the region the individual represents will conduct by-elections to replace the leader. This will not affect similar positions held by other people in different regions (Grofman 2009). Lastly, the prime minister may be forced to step down if there is sufficient evidence to prove that the individual has violated the constitution beyond a specified threshold. This may be followed by criminal prosecution depending on the gravity of the crimes committed; therefore, the president of this country is not above the law.
Secondly, the Japanese vote for 242 members to the House of Councilors, and these elections are held after every three years. These office bearers can serve for a maximum period of two terms (six years) (Thies 2010). However, not all members of this house are elected by citizens because the constitution allows them to fill half of the seats available in this house. This election is proportional because it ensures voters can vote for their preferred parties and candidates. These votes are important because they determine how candidates are ranked on the party list and this affects other positions these members may be appointed to in the future (De Mente 2009).
It is necessary to explain that these two chambers from the National Diet play an important role in electing the prime minister. However, elections of members of these houses are not conducted at the same time because most members in the House of Representatives are usually appointed for ministerial positions. In addition, this house is usually dissolved before the end of its four-year term to allow the electoral body to give these members time to elect the prime minister immediately after the election period starts officially. Japan allows its citizens to prepare for by-elections in April and October in case a seat in any of these houses becomes vacant. On the other hand, members that come second in regular elections usually fill vacant proportional seats in the House of Representatives and House of Councilors if they lose their members within three months after their election.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication established a department called the Central Election Administration Committee that conducts and supervises elections in Japan (Grofman 2009). Anyone aged 20 years and above is eligible to vote in all elections except the one for choosing the prime minister. Voters must have resided in Japan for at least three months before they are allowed to vote. Those seeking to be elected members of the house of representatives must be aged 25 years and above while those seeking office in the house of councilors must be 30 years (De Mente 2009). Japan has been criticized for charging contenders a lot of money to run for political offices. For instance, members that wish to contest for single-seat constituencies pay 3 million Yen while those seeking proportional representation.
Voting in national and local elections is done by writing the preferred party’s candidate’s name on a blank piece of paper (ballot paper) prepared by the electoral body (Kinston 2012). The election of members of the House of Representatives involves filling two slots in the ballot paper to vote for a candidate (proportional representation) and party (district representation). In the House of Councilors’ elections, voters have one vote even though there are many candidates to be elected. On the other hand, voters must support their parties in the party list in the proportional vote for the House of Councilors (Thies 2010). This has a significant impact on the outcome of elections because it shows which party has many members in both houses. Japan introduced electronic voting in 2002 and this was successfully done in 2003 that saw more than 10 million people voting early.
China
This country has a complicated electoral process because of the need to preserve traditional aspects that play important role in governing this country. Politics in China does not attract a huge following because it is largely controlled by the Communist Party of China. Most critics argue that this country is still a single-party state because the Communist Party of China continues to win almost all elections (He 2008). In addition, China’s elections are like a ladder and the votes cast at local levels are important in determining the outcome of the position held by members of upper houses. Elections in this country are based on hierarchical electoral systems where members are directly elected into office; moreover, a lower electoral office is responsible for electing its leaders (Fewsmith 2013). The electoral process is structured in a way that voters elect their leaders according to their jurisdictions. The National People’s Council elects the president and the state council because its members come from different locations (Brown 2011).
It is necessary to explain that local elections are very important in China because they determine a lot of aspects in higher offices. Direct elections are done at the local levels and they include congresses that are not divided into cities, districts, towns, and ethnic regions and this also includes members of village committees (He 2008). If political leaders do not play their roles according to the requirements of the constitution may be recalled by the electorate and a fresh election is conducted. The communist party of China plays a significant role in nominating members for direct elections; moreover, this role is open to other small parties. All parties are allowed to nominate their members and submit their names to the electoral committee that evaluates and approves those that qualify to be nominated (Diamond 2009).
Voting is usually done through secret ballot and voters have the power to recall an election if they think it has been marred by irregularities. Family and work units are the main sources of eligible voters, but not until the lists are approved by district electoral bodies (Fewsmith 2013). These districts are the basic levels of an electorate body and they comprise 200-300 members. The models used to determine office holders include direct nominations, elections, two ballots in three rounds, mass recommendation, public recommendation, and vote of confidence (He 2008). China does not have an official opposition party because the Communist Party of China has overwhelming support and control over elections (Brown 2011). This means that even though China is a multi-party state small political affiliations do not have the necessary power to determine the outcome of elections. In addition, aspirants from small parties rely on nominations from the Communist Party of China, and without its support, their political dreams will remain to be a piped dream.
The electoral system of China is different from that of Japan in the following ways. China is ruled by a president and his deputy while Japan is governed by a prime minister. The presence of hierarchies in China complicates election processes and makes them take a long period (Diamond 2009). On the other hand, Japan has three electoral stages that involve the prime minister, the House of Representatives, and the House of Councilors (De Mente 2009). In addition, China respects traditional institutions and believes local leaders play significant roles in determining the future of politics in this country. On the other hand, Japan does not place a lot of emphasis on traditional ties and the role of local leaders in elections and government has disappeared.
In addition, Japan’s elections do not involve direct nominations that favor parties and people. This means that political aspirants must work hard to prove to the electorate that they are suitable for various positions (Grofman 2009). On the other hand, China’s elections are determined by family backgrounds that play significant roles in determining who becomes what in government. Therefore, it is easy to conclude that there is no democracy in China’s electoral processes.
Thirdly, China’s political scene does not merit being called multi-party democracy because of the absence of a strong opposition party (He 2008). The Communist Party of China has weakened institutions and policies that would have promoted the emergence of a strong opposition party (Brown 2011). It is ironic that members of opposition leaders rely on the ruling party to nominate them for elections.
On the other hand, Japan does not have a single ruling partly like China and this means that there is a lot of democratic space in this country (De Mente 2009). People are allowed to vote for their preferred politicians and parties and this means that there are equal chances for all political organizations to win seats in both houses. This shows that this country has matured and respects the need to promote democracy in elections.
Conclusion
Japan and China have long political histories and this makes them unique in terms of governance and elections. Japan was never colonized while China has a history of dynasties, military, and traditional rulers. However, they both struggle to widen their democratic spaces to ensure their citizens enjoy their freedoms. Both countries continue to invest in modern technology, trade, and politics and at the same time protect their traditions from western cultures.
References
Brown, K. (2011). Ballot Box China: Grassroots Democracy in the Final Major One Party State. London: Zed Books.
De Mente, B. (2009). Japan’s Cultural Code Words: 233 Key Terms that Explain the Attitudes and Behavior of the Japanese. New York: Wiley.
Diamond, L. (2009). Elections and Democracy in Greater China (Studies on Contemporary China. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Fewsmith, J. (2013). The Logic and Limits of Political Reform in China. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Grofman, B. (2009). Elections in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan under the Single Non- Transferable Vote: The Comparative Study of an Embedded Institution. Michigan: University of Michigan Press.
He, B. (2008). Rural Democracy in China: The Role of Village Elections. New York: Palgrave McMillan.
Kinston, J. (2012). Contemporary Japan: History, Politics, and Social Change since the 1980s. Boston: Wiley-Blackwell.
Thies, M. (2010). Japan Transformed: Political Change and Economic Restructuring. New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
It needs to be said that Hillary Clinton is one of the most prominent candidates for the November 2016 presidential election. The fact that she has gained tremendous support from the population and has a strong political platform should not be disregarded (“Hillary Clinton”).
Hillary Clinton.
Marco Rubio can also be viewed as one of the strongest candidates, and he claims that he will address some of the most important issues that the population has to deal with, such as health care and higher education (“Marco Rubio”).
Marco Rubio.
It is paramount to note that it is likely that Hillary Clinton is going to win based on the current results (“Electoral College Calculator”).
Electoral College Calculator.
One of the most critical hot-button issues that should not be disregarded is immigration and is regarded as one of the most significant problems by the population. It is imperative to note that most Americans think that it is an essential part of the economy, and some have voiced their opinion that it has an adverse impact because immigrants are taking jobs. Most think that the current level of immigration is acceptable, and the lowest percentage of those questioned suggests that it needs to be increased (Camp par. 6). It is paramount to understand that it is a topic that splits voters, and candidates should be careful with the strategies that are chosen, and the opinions of some politicians have been controversial.
Another issue that should be taken into account is The Common Core State Standards Initiative because it is often an object of controversy and was met negatively by students and teachers. It is paramount to say that this approach is not supported by most Republicans. The problem is that it is not the best way to deal with the current problems of education, and it changes the whole process, and it is not an easy task to get used to such adjustments for both students and teachers. It is necessary to mention that currently, there are no reliable statistics that would prove that this approach is efficient, and the whole initiative may seem questionable.
Gay marriage should also be viewed as one of the most important issues that would affect the perspectives of voters. It is imperative to note that any remarks regarding this problem may be met with criticism, and candidates should be very careful because some conservatives still oppose such policies. It needs to be said that some candidates who do not have a particular stance on this subject matter have suggested that it should be decided by the states.
It is evident that the support for the LGBT community is enormous, and it can be one of the factors that would affect the preferences of voters (Topaz and Gass par. 3). It is paramount to mention that the interest in this topic has been increasing over the last few years, and it is likely that the discussion will draw the attention of voters. It needs to be said that it is especially a significant issue for both parties because some politicians have opposed the legislation in the past.
In conclusion, the role of hot-button political issues should not be overlooked, and they have an enormous influence on the decision-making process of individuals. It is necessary to note that these candidates are focused on different types of voters that have different values.
Works Cited
Camp, Frank. “Immigration such a hot-button issue in 2016 election that a stunning percentage will only vote for candidate they agree with on the matter.” Independent Journal. Independent Journal, n.d. Web.