The Impact of Nominating Rules on American Politics

The second episode of the Primaries Project explores how the primary system in the United States has evolved from the 1968 nominating convention to 2020. The episode highlights the changes in voter participation and the role of the state-by-state calendar. It discusses how the reforms opened the doors to more public input and reduced party leaders' influence in candidate selection. The episode also examines the consequences of this new system, such as the emphasis on early state wins and the rise of factional and symbolic candidates. Overall, the episode highlights the tension between party control and democratic participation in the primary system.