1. Ever wondered about the importance of political structures? We may not realize it, but overall structures help decide the outcome more than we may imagine, delivering good explanations for the results we see around us. This PowerPoint contains timed slides, please move through them slowly.

2. Take the overall structure of sport games. They often appear to be democratic, since everyone can participate… Yet sports can nevertheless discriminate and segregate?

3. Basketball Discrimination based on gender Discrimination based on height Good thing we do not elect our politicians through a game of basketball! Or do we? Like it or not, political set-ups easily exist with baskets ten feet high; the selection process can help some candidates benefit more than others when we elect our representatives!

4. In 2005, Republicans controlled the Senate with 17% of all eligible voters (29,111,622 voters). Only 14 Senators in 2005 were women Barack Obama First black President and only the third black US Senator in modern times (with an African father and a European-American mother). African-Americans account for one-eight of the population Women account for 52% of the population 2005 Source: Federal Election Commission http://localparty.org/SenatorMinority.html Emancipation: Free from bondage, freeing someone from the control of another. Of all 1,864 Senators elected ever, 15 have been minorities.

5. Who Wins? Second choice has no voice! Example outcome Everyone’s choice counts!

6. ...the world according to voter systems.

7. Female Representatives on the National Level 1 in 5 1 in 4 1 in 6 1 in 3 is female 2005 Source: Nationmaster.com

8. 1 in 7

9. New Zealand Changed their 2 party system in 1996 to a more representative system Female Representatives jumped from 21% to 30% in one election, improving political emancipation

10. Examples of Different Democratic Systems in the World Today and how they allow for emancipation USA Britain Germany Finland, Netherlands, Spain

11. People who did not bother to vote USA People who cannot vote: * Younger than 18 * Inmates * Non-US-citizens People who did vote People who voted for the loser(s) in the race Winner of the race: either a Red or Blue candidate To gain the majority requires between 17% and 23% of all eligible voters

12. USA Germany Finland, Netherlands, Spain

13. People who did not bother to vote The voting population always gets the specific person or party that received their vote to represent them To gain the majority requires between 35% and 50% of all eligible voters People who cannot vote in national elections: * Younger than 18 * Non-citizens

14. USA Germany Finland, Netherlands, Spain

15. People who cannot vote in national elections: * Younger than 18 * Non-citizens People who did not bother to vote Voted for parties with less than 5% of votes People get the specific party as long as 5% of the population vote for them To gain the majority requires between 30% and 45% of all eligible voters

16. Actual Outcomes 2005 United States SenateSwedish National Assembly (one of two Houses)(there is only one House in Sweden) Percentage based on total eligible voter population

17. Parties focus on specific voters to win the election Result: Fixation on the mainstream Voters that swing the outcome receive disproportional attention

18. Result: Fixation on voters’ specific wishes, enabling political emancipation Result: Fixation on the mainstream Parties focus on specific voters to win the election

19. USA Britain Germany Finland, Netherlands, Spain Political Structures Rule making our representatives listen more to us voters — or less!

20. Not every governmental level must deliver voter equality, yet at least one level should provide voter equality. LocalParty.Org works hard to realize voter equality at the local level (city and county). Join our efforts by setting up your own local party in your city or county! Be a true American and help insert real competition to the single party we now find in full control locally everywhere! http://LocalParty.Org