Question

How are elections won? In other words, what distinguishes candidates who win from those who lose? Have these factors changed over time? Are the current factors that influence electoral outcomes positive or negative for a democratic society? Explain and provide examples.

Answer 1

One of the most important factors that gives a competitive edge to the winning candidate is the party they belong to because they are not seen as individuals who contest the election but the political party which the individuals belong to. The ideologies of the parties still remains one single factor that determines the success of the candidate. The previous work that the winning candidate did to the constituency will also determine the success of a candidate because each constituency differs in terms of voters. Earlier elections are won with the ideologies and today it’s won with money and technology. Although people elect their leaders, their decisions are affected by lots of factors such as the influence of media, social networking sites, influence of parents, friends, the nature of the leader etc. Most of the democracies have faced one common problem with the introduction of technology. In the US, the winning of Donald Trump was linked to technological help from Russia because he had enough money to buy people and facilities.