ISS Seminar, Cape Town: Super Tuesday: How primary elections shape American politics

Date: 2012-03-06

Venue: , ISS Cape Town Office, 2nd Floor, The Armoury, Buchanan Square, 160 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock, Cape Town, Security parking will be available

RSVP:
Ms Bongeka Mdaniso
Tel: (021) 461 7211
Email:

Hosted by the Institute for Security Studies’ Cape Town office

The United States of America remains the most influential global superpower. The contest to elect a new President in 2012 is therefore of interest to people across the globe. The most significant dates on the calendar for the American Primary election process is Tuesday 06 March or Super Tuesday. What happens on Super Tuesday has significant sway over the choices that are presented to American voters when they go to the polls in eight months time. The four remaining candidates for the Republican Parties candidacy for President are vying for the approval of close on 40% of the primary delegates in 10 American States on the same day.

Ms. Erica Barks-Ruggles, US Consul-General to Cape Town, will provide a detailed overview of how the U.S. primaries work, what they do and don’t do and how they have changed over time. Following her keynote address Prof. Bob Mattes will respond by by amongst other discussing comparative experiences with democracies in Africa and what lessons South Africa might be able to draw, or not, from the U.S. primaries.

Speakers:

• Kenynote Address: Ms. Erica Barks-Ruggles: USA Consul-General (Cape Town)
  
  
• Respondent: Prof. Bob Mattes, Director, Democracy in Africa Research Unit, University of Cape Town

Chairperson:

• Hennie van Vuuren, Office Director: Institute for Security Studies, Cape Town