American Elections: A Day After

elective courses

1. Good command in at least one foreign language (English) is a must.

2. General knowledge of geography, international politics and economics very welcome.

During the course we will examine one of the most important elements of American political and social life – the elections. We will follow the historical foundation of the American voting system and the controversies around it. We will follow the building up of a strategy around the elections on the local and federal level, we’ll reach out to most intriguing cases. Talking about the past however we will still focus on current situation. On November 3 the American people elected their new president, new House of Representatives and part of the US Senate. The 2020 elections were held under specific circumstances: pandemic COVID-19 put many hurdles to the traditional campaigning with massive popular participation. What will the US in 2021 and on be like? Will America First call be continued? Or perhaps new administration of Joe Biden will go towards more co-operation and multilateralism? How America will deal with the most challenging global problems as rivalry with China or environment?

This is an active participation class where you’ll have a chance to get closer to the US history, politics and political culture. How to understand the American electoral system? We will try to get deeper to the US constitutional order and country habits to examine the differences between American and European way of establishing democratic representation practice. I plan to go through the US Constitution origins and first presidential elections to get you closer to the American idea of balanced democracy, where both, all country population and territorial set up play a role. We will also discuss the most intriguing electoral cases and controversies. Here are some of the points I will rise:

1. American Constitution. A new democracy.

2. Ballot system. In search for a balanced solution.

3. Voters and candidates. How to become a politician in America?

4. Republicans and Democrats: two visions of America.

5. Donald Trump – a man who discovered another America.

6. 2016 vs. 2020 electoral campaign: what has changed?

7. Old and new swing states.

8. Pandemic and the casting the votes: what made in-mail voting so important?

9. The House of Representatives: democratic majority.

10. Senate: the Georgia case.

11. US President Joseph R. Biden: who is he?

12. Vice President Kamala Harris: the path from immigrant to the White House.

13. The new administration people – the new perspective for America and the World.

14. Shall we see a better world? Definitely different one.

Mark J. Schulman: A History of American Presidential Elections: From George Washington to Barack Obama. Multieducator.2012

G. Davies, J. E. Zelizer: America at the Ballot Box: Elections and American Political History, Univ. of Pennsylvania Press.2015

Paul F. Boller: Presidential Campaign. From George Washington to George W. Bush. Oxford University Press. 2004

Bob Woodword: Fear

Anne Applebaum: Twilight of Democracy, Allen Lane, 2020

Julian Borger, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/25/trumps-coup-failed-but-us-democracy-has-been-given-a-scare

Upon completing this course, a student:

KNOWLEDGE

1. General knowledge in the area of international political and economic relations with special reference to the US role in the global world.

2. General knowledge in the area of international co-operation

3. Functional knowledge on the foreign service structure and practice.

4. Diplomacy language.

SKILLS:

1. Building up the projects in the area of international co-operation.

2. Fluency in analysis of global processes.

3. Building up the professional political, economic, cultural and social contacts in the international area.

SOCIAL COMPETENCES:

1. Communication skills

2. Proficiency in working out the joint international projects.

3. Understanding of the global problems.

- Attendance - 20% (max 2 absences accepted)

- Active participation - 40%

- Presentation - 40% (evaluation of the joint project presentation prepared on specific selected topic).