Select one (1) of the following to answer.
Option A – Voting and Interest groups
Grigsby states ‘The sociological cleavages perspective emphasizes that voting decisions are sometimes affected by one’s membership in certain groups …’(page 213 3rd ed., page 225 4th ed., page 22 5th ed.) . She also states “The retrospective voting perspective on voter decision making suggests that voters sometimes makeup their minds by looking at present and/or past performance of candidates or parties…” (page 213 3rd ed., page 225 4th ed., page 225 5th ed.)
In your own words, define both sociological cleavages and retrospective voting. How do you think these two voter choice methods impacted the 2016 United States Presidential Election? Explain.
Option B – Political Parties- US versus Europe
Because US voters choose between only two political parties, both attempt to appeal to the large group of voters who consider themselves ideological moderates and members of the middle class. These individuals with moderate incomes may find it difficult to know whether the Democrats or the Republicans best represent their economic interests. In many elections, it may seem impossible to know which party would best represent a particular income group.
In countries with several parties, most voters know what the labels Socialists, Social Democratic, Christian Democratic and Conservative mean; these terms imply specific ideologies, particularly as measured along the economic dimension. This means that party cues are clear, which increases voter participation.
Using the above excerpt, identify and explain difference(s) between political parties in the United States versus political parties in Europe.
Option C – Presidential versus Parliamentary Systems
…two major forms of representative government evolved: presidential systems and parliamentary systems. A recent analysis of 136 government shows that the vast majority reflect the presidential model. Most parliamentary systems are in Europe of former colonies of Great Britain such as Canada and Australia. Presidential and parliamentary systems function quite differently from one another.
Grigsby(information http://www.nicat-mammadli.narod.ru/b1.html/b35.pdf
Book’s link ) provides four differences between the two systems. Select two of these differences. Compare and contrast each differences by examining the benefits and constraints of each within its system
