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FiveThirtyEight Politics

Our Presidential Primary System is An Accident

Dec 25, 2023
37:22
Snipd AI
An exploration of the arbitrary nature of the US primary system and the impact of the Iowa caucuses. Delve into the history and evolution of the presidential primary system. Examine the changes in the Democratic Party's nominating process in 1968 and the activists' efforts for party-wide reforms. Learn about the division within the party over the Vietnam War during the 1968 Democratic convention.
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Quick takeaways

  • The modern primary system emerged in the early 20th century, replacing semi-public or private processes held within political parties.
  • The post-1968 reforms increased transparency and participation, empowering rank-and-file voters in choosing presidential nominees.

Deep dives

The Primaries Project

The Primaries Project is a three-part series investigating the modern primary system. It reflects on the arbitrary nature of the primary process and questions its efficacy in selecting candidates for the presidency.

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