Majority Rules
Key Issues and Questions Raised:
- Electoral System Dysfunction:
- How did the American electoral system become so dysfunctional?
- Can changing the way we vote transform our entire system for the better?
- Ranked-Choice Voting:
- What are the benefits and drawbacks of ranked-choice voting?
- How does ranked-choice voting compare to traditional voting methods in terms of fairness and representation?
- Political Division and Reform:
- How might election reforms like those in Alaska influence political division and voter satisfaction?
- What are the arguments for and against implementing such reforms nationwide?
- Impact on Campaign Strategies:
- How do election reforms change the strategies politicians use to campaign and win elections?
- What new skills and approaches must candidates develop to succeed under these new rules?
- Public Perception and Acceptance:
- How do citizens perceive these new voting systems?
- What are the challenges in gaining public acceptance for election reforms?
Curriculum Connections
Social Studies and Civics:
- Electoral Systems and Reforms: Majority Rules provides a detailed examination of various electoral systems, particularly ranked-choice voting, offering a real-world context for understanding different electoral reforms. This aligns with civics curriculum that focuses on the mechanisms of voting and democratic participation.
- Political Influence and Public Policy: The film explores the influence of political parties, interest groups, and media on public policy and opinion, serving as a practical example for civics courses that discuss the formulation and impact of public policy.
- Impact of Technological and Social Changes: By showing how changes in electoral technology and social dynamics affect the electoral process, the film connects with social studies standards related to contemporary societal changes and their implications for governance.
Language Arts:
- Discussion and Collaboration: The complex issues raised in Majority Rules encourage deep discussions and collaborations among students, enhancing their ability to articulate and defend positions on electoral issues, which is a core skill in language arts education.
- Critical Media Analysis: The film serves as a text for critical analysis, where students can explore how film techniques and narrative structures are used to convey complex themes about democracy and electoral integrity. This directly supports language arts standards focused on text analysis and media literacy.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL):
- Self-Awareness and Civic Responsibility: Majority Rules prompts students to reflect on their own beliefs and the implications of electoral reforms, supporting SEL objectives that emphasize self-awareness and ethical responsibility in a civic context.
- Responsible Decision-Making: The film encourages students to think critically about the consequences of adopting new voting systems, fostering skills in responsible decision-making as they consider how such changes might affect democratic processes.