C963 Task 2 Case Study – Solved.
Case Study 1: The 2040 United States Presidential
Election
Overview of the Election
The 2040 presidential election featured two strong candidates: Candidate A, representing
the conservative party, and Candidate B, representing the liberal party. With the current
president completing their two terms, both parties had open races, leading to a highly
competitive election season. Unlike previous elections, the 2040 race was shaped by shifting
political dynamics, media influence, and the growing role of new interest groups.
Political Party Role
The Conservative Party had a crowded primary field, with 15 candidates, but Candidate A
quickly became the front-runner after a strong early campaign. Candidate A presented as a
reformer, aiming to shift away from traditional conservative politics by focusing on
technological innovation, economic growth, and a stronger national defense. Despite early
competition from more established figures within the party, Candidate A’s message
resonated with younger voters and those dissatisfied with the political status quo.
The Conservative Party allowed for states to front-load closed primaries, where only party
members could vote. By doing this, the party effectively eliminated any influence from
independents or nonparty members. Concern over small-population states having a bigger
impact on the nomination then forced the party to accommodate several states moving
elections to be held on the same day, such as Super Tuesday.
The conservative primaries initially saw fierce competition in states like Iowa and New
Hampshire, where Candidate A overcame a strong challenge from an experienced senator
from the Midwest. Candidate A's wins in those early contests gave him momentum, and by
the time of Super Tuesday, Candidate A had already secured enough delegates to clinch the
nomination.
The Liberal Party faced its own set of challenges, with a field of 12 candidates, including
both moderates and progressives. Candidate B, a former governor with a reputation for
pragmatic problem-solving, emerged as the nominee after a tough battle with a progressive
senator from the Pacific Northwest. Candidate B's platform focused on investing in clean
energy, universal healthcare, and expanding access to education.
The Liberal Party held mainly open primaries where nonparty members could vote, forcing
candidates to increase their appeal to more voters. The liberal primaries were, therefore,
marked by close races, with Candidate B narrowly defeating progressive rivals in states like
Nevada and South Carolina. Although her primary campaign had some internal divisions, like
how to run "as a woman," Candidate B's ability to unite the party and independent voters in
the final months of the contest secured her position as the party’s nominee.
Media Influence
The role of the media in the 2040 election was more complex than ever. Social media
platforms, traditional television networks, and online news outlets all played critical roles in
shaping public perception of the candidates. Both parties used digital platforms to target
, TFN1: Task 2: Powers and Structures Case Study Document
specific voter groups, especially younger voters, who were heavily involved in online issue
discussions and social movements.
For Candidate A, the conservative media favored his message of economic growth,
emphasizing the potential for technological advancements and stronger business policies.
His campaign used online social media platforms to connect directly with voters, particularly
in key battleground states, like Georgia.
Candidate B, on the other hand, benefited from widespread traditional media coverage of
her plans for healthcare reform and climate change action. News outlets focused on her
ability to address big issues with practical solutions, and her campaign relied heavily on
progressive media to mobilize voters in urban centers and younger demographic groups.
Interest Groups
Interest groups played an outsized role in both parties' campaigns, influencing policy
discussions and voter turnout. Key conservative interest groups, such as business advocacy
organizations and national defense groups, gave all their support to Candidate A. These
groups focused on promoting a strong tech economy, cutting business taxes, and increasing
defense spending. The Small Business Association and the United States Chamber of
Commerce were both particularly influential, using super PAC advertisements and PAC
funding to promote policies that would benefit the corporate sector.
On the liberal side, environmental groups like the Sierra Club and labor unions supported
Candidate B, pushing for policies on clean energy job creation, workers' rights, and the
expansion of social programs, such as Social Security and Medicare. These groups worked to
energize younger voters, especially in urban areas, and led large-scale rallies to promote
their agendas. This garnered a lot of free media attention from local television networks.
Environmental concerns also played a significant role, especially for younger voters, with
many voters believing Candidate B's policies were crucial for long-term economic
sustainability.
General Election
The results of the general election were remarkably close in terms of the popular vote.
Candidate A won 49% of the national vote, while Candidate B received 48%. The margin of
difference was just over 2 million votes, highlighting the highly polarized nature of the race.
Approximately 63% of the voting-eligible population voted compared to the previous
presidential election where the turnout was 66%.
The outcome in the Electoral College was even tighter. Candidate A secured 271 electoral
votes to win the election, while Candidate B received 267 electoral votes. Although
Candidate B had strong support in the largest states, such as California and New York,
Candidate A won critical battleground states like Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan,
giving him the edge in the Electoral College. Candidate B was even able to flip traditional
red states, like Iowa, but still, she could not secure enough electoral votes to win.
Conclusion
In the end, Candidate A won the presidency, securing a narrow victory in both the popular
and Electoral College votes. While the race was close, the election demonstrated the shifting
priorities of American voters. The 2040 election also showcased how media and interest
groups continue to shape elections, with candidates using new tools to reach and influence