Congressional Elections: Crash Course Government and Politics #6

Рет қаралды 1,305,573

Күн бұрын

This week Craig Benzine talks about the importance of elections in the strongest branch of the U.S. Government: Congress. He'll talk about the frequency of elections in the Senate and House, the typical characteristics of a candidate, and the motivating factors our congresspeople follow to get re-elected.
Produced in collaboration with PBS Digital Studios: / pbsdigitalstudios
Support is provided by Voqal: www.voqal.org
Chapters:
Introduction: Congressional Elections 00:00
How Congressional Elections Work 0:59
How Congressional Candidates Get Elected 2:16
Characteristics of Congressional Candidates 3:05
Incumbency Advantage 4:21
The Electoral Connection & Why Congressional Elections Matter 6:01
Credits 8:25
Crash Course is on Patreon! You can support us directly by signing up at / crashcourse
Want to find Crash Course elsewhere on the internet?
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CC Kids: / crashcoursekids

Пікірлер: 737

@JasonCorfman 9 жыл бұрын

"I'm on the TV. I'm not, I'm on KZfaq." I'm watching KZfaq on my TV, so actually, you are on both.

@avinashvaluveri3903 4 жыл бұрын

how did u comment then

@JasonCorfman 4 жыл бұрын

@@avinashvaluveri3903 Well, that was 5 years ago, so I don't remember specifically, but I'm guessing I pulled the video up on my laptop so I could comment. Or on my phone (as I'm replying now).

@sudeepjoseph69 4 жыл бұрын

@@JasonCorfman lol, you actually replied

@y8r113 8 жыл бұрын

This series is unbelievably helpful.

@camibottoms3939 7 жыл бұрын

@heather2956 4 жыл бұрын

When has PBS not been helpful? JS. I do not mean any disrespect

@marybach9925 7 жыл бұрын

The punching of the eagle is by far the best part of this show 😂

@danmoriarty6901 7 жыл бұрын

"when this was being recorded in 2015 people were already talking about the upcoming election" if only they knew what was coming.....

@jaceowens6242 4 жыл бұрын

Government finally makes sense! This is so much better than listening to a college professor giving a lecture for 3 hours! Thank you CrashCourse!

@Imaweaverboy 9 жыл бұрын

I understand that CrashCourse is an american show primarily watched by Americans, but please please please have a series about UK government and politics. I personally think it's one of the more interesting political systems and I'm sure it would be very popular, just like this series.

@Beastinvader 9 жыл бұрын

I actually find you darn funny.

@TheFireflyGrave 9 жыл бұрын

Beastinvader I find him funny too. I think lots of people do.

@TheSpecialJ11 8 жыл бұрын

+Beastinvader No offense Mr. Benzine, but at first I thought you were really dry. Then I realized it was dry humor most of the time and like your content almost as much as John's. (Let's face it, who can beat the Green brothers?) :P

@aaronseitler7544 8 жыл бұрын

I don't- I think he explains things well but I find his attempted humour tiresome. Maybe it's because I'm British.

@baconman4172 5 жыл бұрын

ur sense of humor is autistic if u think he is funny

@greencupid1232 7 жыл бұрын

*watches ******3:13******, thinks of this years election- starts laughing hysterically*

@RhaegarStorm 7 жыл бұрын

Got to me was well... The sweet bliss of ignorance!

@justinlafser916 9 жыл бұрын

Fun Fact: Public opinion hasn't affected legislation for about the last 30 years.

@Halloweensmasher 9 жыл бұрын

One: Affected. Effect is a noun, affect is a verb. Two: Yes...yes it has. It's called voter demographics.

@Ancor3 9 жыл бұрын

Cyrus Levy No, what Justin said was pretty accurate. Public opininion has barely had any effect on legislation outside of a few social issues. Changing voter demographics have nothing to do with the fact that people aren't seeing the changes in legislation that they want.

@fenrirthewolf5417 9 жыл бұрын

No you just think that way because your not seeing the changes and legislation you want. There is a thing called the silent majority who decides what happens and they are what the gov't panders to. But I do agree that the gov't has taken Some demographics less seriously, mainly because they don't vote so the gov't has no reason to care about them.

@Ancor3 9 жыл бұрын

Fenrirthewolf And there's this thing called research that actually supports what he said. The government panders to corporations, not the majority. Only when elections come around is everyone running for office suddenly center-left (because the American people are generally center-left) to appeal to the public. The moment elections are over everyone goes back to being either center-right or far right.

@fenrirthewolf5417 9 жыл бұрын

***** by silent majority most people mean the group of people not shouting their heads off a protests and on the media. It means the people who only give their opinion when asked, like in a poll or during elections when they vote for who they think ran the nation the best. It is true the corporations have an unfair advantage in elections. But to say that the people have no power is ignorant at best. In fact I think the people have more power then corporations even if only just barely. Maybe if more people actually voted then corporations wouldn't have any extra power. But sadly they would rather pout on the Internet or commit crimes and remain poor then Actually change the country for the better.

@FullForce098 6 жыл бұрын

It's May 2018 and this episode is darkly ironic now.

@srabbelier 9 жыл бұрын

If, like me, you've wondered "why does it seem that US politics resolve so much around money", that question is answered very directly in this episode.

@Dudeonwheels 9 жыл бұрын

Incumbancy advantage. Just one of many reasons we need term limits for members of Congress.

@FieldMarshalFry 9 жыл бұрын

there is no term limit for MP's here in the UK, and they get ousted with surprising regularity

@dangerouslytalented 9 жыл бұрын

Field Marshal Fry But they fixed the gerrymandering and rotten boroughs in the UK... They are making MORE gerrymandered seats in the US.

@FieldMarshalFry 9 жыл бұрын

dangerouslytalented then you need to educate the voting population, they need to know what the politicians really stand for and if they are mad racist/homophobic/misogynistic (delete as appropriate) bastards

@dangerouslytalented 9 жыл бұрын

Field Marshal Fry we all do

@dohiri987 9 жыл бұрын

We do have term limits, they're called elections. If people would actually pay attention to the candidates instead of blindly voting, all their problems will be solved.

@caewing85 8 жыл бұрын

wow! I wish I had this info twelve yrs ago when I was in government class. this series is amazing! thank you!

@michaelgimbel4418 8 жыл бұрын

3:42 "Most billionaires have better things to do" *shows pictures of Donald Trump*

@SashaSteveBlair 7 жыл бұрын

Michael Gimbel 😂

@zOgOs48 6 жыл бұрын

😆😂

@isaacdorfman 5 жыл бұрын

President Trump, lol

@Andy-km1xp 5 жыл бұрын

Isaac Dorfman Sad!

@surfingnerd621 5 жыл бұрын

Michael Gimbel at least he's a billionaire who instead of buying yachts is shaking things up in DC. And I thank him for it. He's no saint but he is what we need right now

@laceybeamer4994 8 жыл бұрын

i love when he punches the eagle

@MrTombombodil 9 жыл бұрын

These videos are wonderful. I'm actually kind of sad to see that these have relatively low views compared to other crash course series. I'm going to try to share these with my younger cousins and maybe teachers I had back in high school that I keep in contact with. Keep up the good work.

@FunkyHonkyCDXX 9 жыл бұрын

This has really been a great series, I really like Craig and the delivery has been awesome.

@kaiplue 9 жыл бұрын

Craig's animated thoughtbubble counterpart looked very handsome.

@johnandan1594 9 жыл бұрын

are you implying Craig doesn't look snazzy and handsome in the real world?

@kaiplue 9 жыл бұрын

Ahaha no, not at all! But the picture he had on the pamphlet captured all his charming features.

@Observe411 9 жыл бұрын

Dear Crash Course, you are what makes humanity shine!

@katskyofficial 4 жыл бұрын

Oh 2015..... This is Sept. 1 2019. It gets bad.... very bad.....

@mign2818 4 жыл бұрын

Political science professor keeps linking your videos, extremely helpful. Thanks for making these informative videos.

@melw4537 6 жыл бұрын

You are awesome!! Thank you for sharing this information and making it interesting, as well as funny!

@Krit0134 9 жыл бұрын

These are so helpful, especially living in the UK - useful revision videos for my A Level in May!

@kayleighbeere96 9 жыл бұрын

I'm from the UK, I have my American Politics exam tomorrow, thank you for your help Craig

@kendalcontardo2020 8 жыл бұрын

So excited about this series!

@freebirdjay 9 жыл бұрын

Awesome! I hope to hear more about state legislation at some point. For example, so few students here in Florida know that there is a Bill that already passed the State Senate and will probably pass the State House that starting as early as July 1st will allow concealed weapons on college campuses. State legislation (and municipal) has massive effects on day-to-day lives, and are also often voted in my a few thousand at a time!

@juandelapaz4122 9 жыл бұрын

This is my favorite video on the internet

@PaolaHernandez-ys7ce 8 жыл бұрын

That moment when you have to ap test tomorrow for government...

@tylerboots1394 6 жыл бұрын

Paola Hernandez same bro

@charlleedodson 6 жыл бұрын

My final is tomorrow, but my test is in a week

@ryanweaver962 Жыл бұрын

Better platforms and better insights and implementation… honesty and kindness.

@Minty1337 9 жыл бұрын

his eagle is the voodoo doll of the US government, when he punches it, something bad happens, when he is nice to it something good happens.

@plzineedtogowayrn6353 5 жыл бұрын

I learn so much from this and House of Cards

@nico_rico3185 9 жыл бұрын

Great info! Thanks!

@joannacobb4925 9 жыл бұрын

I'm a poli sci major and I always try to cover up the fact I know nothing about american elections thanks crash course 👍

@DoOrDiyTeen 9 жыл бұрын

OMG he barely blinked the entire video!!!

@kingkiara8851 7 жыл бұрын

craig you rock keep on crash course video hosting

@ireneuszszymborski6261 9 жыл бұрын

The reason I am passing government. ^^

@brittaniemorris5996 5 жыл бұрын

This was Good!! Thanks

@TheDajamster 9 жыл бұрын

If you make it trough the primaries, you have my vote!

@AssClappicus 9 жыл бұрын

thanks crash course and craig!

@awesomebeast7509 9 жыл бұрын

The dress was Black and Blue

@darrynjohnston3834 9 жыл бұрын

Agreed. I know the personal is political; but there is a time, and a place.

@brandonc.9244 9 жыл бұрын

the dress was yo mama

@SexyMadCovv 9 жыл бұрын

Am I the only one who saw it as blue and gold

@darrynjohnston3834 9 жыл бұрын

GabeN No I've read comment that have also said that. I can't say that I've seen that myself.

@FieldMarshalFry 9 жыл бұрын

was I the only one who saw it as Octarine?

@bndncn 9 жыл бұрын

Holy crap, TIL Craig invented the term "doobly doo." Vlogbrothers borrowed it from him. Vote for Craig!

@ExposedRoot 7 жыл бұрын

Awesome series.w

@iBLiiTz22 9 жыл бұрын

You guys should watch CGP Grey's videos on voting and how it's easy manipulated. Quite scary and frustrating how unrepresented certain places are.

@spacecrabthatshootslasers5224 5 жыл бұрын

3:45 "so they dont have time to run for office." Daddy Trump : hold my beer

@janettemcdugald9497 8 жыл бұрын

Irony- says billionaires are too busy to run for president, puts up Donald Trump, who is running.

@Yzyenthusiast 8 жыл бұрын

lol who is now an official candidate

@Haley-fo4tw 7 жыл бұрын

Janette McDugald 😬😬😬

@jacobchadwick9235 7 жыл бұрын

Who is now President

@mrsmith2876 6 жыл бұрын

And spent less money becoming president.

@bostonteaparty9924 5 жыл бұрын

Janette McDugald and is arguably the best president we ever had.

@travcat756 9 жыл бұрын

Good job

@Sharkdragon 8 жыл бұрын

My favorite thing is watching the Eagle go flying lol.

@tomcummings3471 9 жыл бұрын

this web series is SO good! :3

@nunya4107 9 жыл бұрын

Looks like your left elbow patch needs some mending. Great video! Thanks

@sevret313 9 жыл бұрын

I think I go back to watching crash course history, less depressing.

@OctogonOxygen024816 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you thank you!!!

@Brushtoned 9 жыл бұрын

this really should be 'Crash course American Government and Politics.

@indubitablyzara 9 жыл бұрын

I actually read Mayhew's book the week after this video came out for my American Politics seminar. Too bad I didn't see this video earlier... :P

@levishu991 9 жыл бұрын

this came out on my birthday!

@freehigh5861 9 жыл бұрын

I'd vote for you Craig!

@DanThePropMan 9 жыл бұрын

Martin Van Side-Burens

@jmanatee11 7 жыл бұрын

Crash course government is so helpful!

@foreverxundefined 8 жыл бұрын

I subscribed to THIS channel well over a year now, I recently subscribed to wheezy waiter. Not putting two and two together, until right now..... Eagle punch!

@heipaadegsauenshaun 8 жыл бұрын

"That guy isn't nice". *pointing at Wikimedia Commons* I knew it.

@august1224 5 жыл бұрын

my AP Gov finals are coming up and these videos help so much shsh

@gothmothinc 5 жыл бұрын

21 Ohan Sides At the Disco Same, I would low key be screwed without these vids 😂

@mavisdom-animeonpiano 5 жыл бұрын

21 Ohan Sides At the Disco I’m binging

@joshducar395 8 жыл бұрын

good stuff, good stuff

@P07H34D 9 жыл бұрын

Good evening everybody. It's snowing in North Texas :D

@ofvids 9 жыл бұрын

you guys are so sick good

@BeccaMoses 9 жыл бұрын

One hundred percent with you on the hairstyle thing.

@Strokeit24 9 жыл бұрын

The punching of the eagle was un-necessary lmao

@CommandLineVulpine 9 жыл бұрын

yay at 2:26 you showed my state :D

@efboli 9 жыл бұрын

Don't usually watch these but my House of Cards marathon has me a bit excited about American politics.

@uberEman 8 жыл бұрын

This guy is leading up to be my favorite crash course presenter. Hank still holds the position though.

@TheBandScanner 9 жыл бұрын

One Person = One Term. Make it so !

@thedesucomplex4365 9 жыл бұрын

Crash Course US Government: the best way to spend Friday night.

@wesleyturner7785 9 жыл бұрын

I love the jacket

@Apesrock12 9 жыл бұрын

Yay, you used IL :)

@xilens1230 Жыл бұрын

Comprehensive elaborated

@smick2000 8 жыл бұрын

Watching so I can understand house of cards

@LarryPhischman 9 жыл бұрын

We need to institute term limits for representatives and senators. Both should be limited to two terms.

@rjfaber1991 9 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure that would work. If you want to root out the systemic same-ness in US politics, term limits won't do the job. Somebody will be in office for two terms, get a good friend of his into office for a third, and then return for two more terms himself. A better solution would be to ditch FPTP elections for a PR system. If a state like New York has to appoint 27 representatives, you could divide the state into 27 districts, as is currently done, but if you instead just took all the votes cast in the state and appointed the 27 seats proportionally, you're pretty much eradicating the occurence of safe seats. As an added bonus, it would also mean smaller parties like the Libertarians or Greens are no longer guaranteed never to get represented.

@fenrirthewolf5417 9 жыл бұрын

That's a horrible idea! The reason congress works (when it does work) is because of the seniority of senetors and representatives. They know how things should be done, and they keep the entire thing from turning into even more of a shit throwing contest then it already is. It's also undemocratic because your telling the people who they can and can't vote for.

@alexzarandi9165 9 жыл бұрын

The issue there Robert is that you can end up with a representative for your district who fails to represent the majority of people in that district, merely the State as a whole, leaving you with no one to go to.

@rjfaber1991 9 жыл бұрын

Alex Zarandi No, quite the contrary. Normally you'd have on person to go to, now you'd have 27 (staying with the example of New York), and you could pick the one among those 27 you think represents you best.

@Kholdstare52 9 жыл бұрын

^All of the above + How would anyone accrue any experience, I was thinking about term limiting congress myself but for international relations, treaty creation, hell even major domestic issues, i think to have an effective skillful collection of leaders some congresspeople will need to spend several terms... maybe it could work if you set the term limits at say... 10 terms for congresspersons, and 5 for senators...

@aussiebaka4588 9 жыл бұрын

I like you, Craig.

@cronnyberg 9 жыл бұрын

another book that is similar to 'the electoral connection' is 'elite statecraft and election administration'. It's written by my uni lecturer Dr Toby James, and covers a similar idea of power accumulation and political statecraft etc... worth a read for those interested in that kind of thing :)

@mdelles 9 жыл бұрын

you're on the smart tv!

@TheCoolsparks 9 жыл бұрын

I wish u could do a video about how a president is elected esp about primaries

@mikem948 8 жыл бұрын

You guys do such a great job on these videos, especially being as non-bias as possible. One thing I didn't like is the way you spoke about the price $ of elections. Just because candidates are spending more, doesn't not necessarily mean it 'costs' that much. For instance, the average cost of a pair of men's denim jeans is about $50. However, many people feel those particular jeans aren't good enough and spend over $200. Both pairs have the same function, one is just 'better' than the other. My point is elections are costing more and more because people are able to make more and more profits from them.

@dangerouslytalented 9 жыл бұрын

... you could also look at whom has been donating to a congressman's campaign...

@Nekotamer 9 жыл бұрын

building yacht forts?

@alec8182 9 жыл бұрын

With money glue

@nicholasserrano193 9 жыл бұрын

Building a mansion made of other smaller mansions

@GentrifiedPotato 9 жыл бұрын

It's a shame that term limits will never happen without an overreach by the Legislative or the Executive Branch.

@JogInTheFog 9 жыл бұрын

Why do we need term limits? People seem to say this all the time without supporting it. I'll offer you a reason we shouldn't have term limits -- it would limit the number of choices available to the voting public to select from for the person they want to represent them.

@aidanconnolly9170 9 жыл бұрын

JogInTheFog With a term limit it would mean that there would not be such a high need for funding because they would not have to compete with the incumbent. This would allow for more people to run for office. Also the reason most people would want to have term limits to to change the focus of the politics from reelection to actually benefiting the general public. Also there is a system that develops where there is no progress because the same people are always holding the same positions. If there was a fresh group of people with new ideas then there might actually be some progress. This can not happen without term limits.

@SofosProject 9 жыл бұрын

JogInTheFog The argument for term limits is that being faced with such a limit would motivate them to focus their time and energy on getting things done since YOEO (you're only elected once).

@FieldMarshalFry 9 жыл бұрын

term limits are not needed, the voting population needs better political awareness

@TheDethBringer666 9 жыл бұрын

Field Marshal Fry You don't well expect the common infantryman to grasp political complexities, do you? As it is, any officer with sense attempts to get off the front line.

@bryanlantry1229 9 жыл бұрын

In New South Wales (Australia) state elections, campaign donations must be declared to the Australian Electrical Commission. Donations from some entities such as property developers and corporations are banned in a bid to stop the government pandering to corporations and mostly, reduce corruption. Since this legislation was introduced, the laws that have been passed have greatly benefited the people. Best of all, were going for elections in a month or so and no annoying adds

@MrChinesenoodle 9 жыл бұрын

i like this guy. can we keep him?

@planettrump5806 5 жыл бұрын

I’m going too run for Congress 2020

@Rich-MarsEco 9 жыл бұрын

let's all vote Craig for President!!!

@user-jb6qb8ki7e 5 жыл бұрын

no puppy no end

@stevebond4916 4 жыл бұрын

The number of districts is constant. States gain or lose districts based on population which is determined by the census

@gregggates3178 9 жыл бұрын

We need to fund an oversight committee!

@niclyx7970 9 жыл бұрын

Clearly billionaires are busy building yacht forts.

@dragonwithglasses941 5 жыл бұрын

The thing is members of congress don't have to be very responsive to voters if they live in safe districts and their only challenge is primaries where they have the incumbency advantage. Also, senators don't have to worry about doing stuff for reelection until the last 1 or two years before the election which I think is a good thing because it means they might think of the public good instead of reelection.

@Ryan-hn2jr 9 жыл бұрын

"Sometimes they make laws or actually solve problems. Who knew?" Amazing

@MyDogmatix 4 жыл бұрын

The sarcastic side comments in this video are pretty funny in the age of Trump. Go sanders go!

@spaceinbetween6591 9 жыл бұрын

i was taught never to trust politicians

@ariannea964 5 жыл бұрын

Hello! I hope you are well. I was wondering, what is the name of the 1974 book May Hughes presented? (I apologize if his name is written incorrectly).

@Julianna.Domina 9 жыл бұрын

"Politicians and diapers should be changed often, and for the same reason." - Mark Twain

@njmudaliar 9 жыл бұрын

The biggest problem with Congress today is that they create way too many unconstitutional programs. I'll vote for the person who'll balance the federal budget by eliminating wasteful programs like the corporate welfare of the Ex-Im Bank, Amtrak, & PBS. We need to close harmful departments like the TSA, Dept of Commerce, Dept of Labor, & the Dept of Education which have no Constitutional authorization. We need to reduce spending on warfare overseas and end illegal spying on Americans by the NSA. We need to reduce the size of the govt to create economic growth & the liberty the founders intended.

@Nivek0 9 жыл бұрын

Well said, all of these ass-hats in congress only look out for themselves and their money. They have perverted the constitution and have made the national government meddle in the affairs of the states for no reason but to make themselves more powerful and richer. Is all in the constitution folks, and these guys sure as heck aint following it.

@skysthelimitvideos 9 жыл бұрын

PBS funds crash course...

@njmudaliar 9 жыл бұрын

I'd also like to see Congress convert social security into a system of personal accounts where people can make their own choices. We should be allowed to take the payroll taxes we pay and put them into a personal account with a range of options from govt holding all of it (in govt bonds) or investing it like in an IRA. Just give people more freedom.

@lolpauve 9 жыл бұрын

Diana Peña Less than 0.001% can still be as much as 370 million dollars....

@fraserclayton7468 9 жыл бұрын

Naveen I know this isn't a popular opinion in America but to be honest the founding fathers were from over 200 years ago and America/society is completely different so there wishes mean almost nothing. The founders were fine with things like slavery, sexism, mass poverty etc which we don't accept now so why do there views on the path of America mean anything. Also the constitution isn't the holy grail, following it won't make things better necessarily - policy makes things better. America needs to change it's political system before it can change it's policy/legislation.