This project is an exploration of elections, voting, and politics as viewed by Indian and American youth. Interviews were conducted with youth from both countries and synthesized into a paper. To continue these conversations post project, a prototype iPhone app was built as the vehicle. This app enables a user to share their opinion and learn how youth from other parts of the world feel about the same issues. The goal is to provide a holistic sharing and learning experience for youth worldwide.

In this paper, I attempt to assess the viability of a third-party presidential candidate in the current American two-party system. I first discuss the challenges facing third parties in the United States and the reasons for the American two-party system. I then investigate successful third-party campaigns in order to determine how these challenges can be overcome. I then use these examples to generate solutions to third-party obstacles, and incorporate those solutions into hypothetical campaign materials for a fictional third party candidate. I then collect and analyze the results of a survey of American voters in order to assess whether and how a third-party campaign might succeed in the current American political environment. Finally, I present a series of actionable suggestions for overcoming obstacles to third party success.

Politics and social media are becoming increasingly interrelated. This paper explores that relationship and analyzes what it takes to run a successful social media campaign.