... in each state and party, but on the general underlying theme of the system since the turmoil of the Democratic Party national convention in 1968, namely the move to enhance the power of the grass-roots party membership to determine the nominee. I will argue that the many weaknesses of the present system outweigh its few advantages and therefore that, despite numerous reforms, the U.S as a whole is still a long way from achieving the ideal system. `Before evaluating the present system, it is perhaps useful to briefly consider the nature of the previous arrangements from which it evolved. Ragsdale identifies four distinct phases in the history of the development of presidential nominations procedures (1993, pp94-97). From 1800 to 1824, the congressional caucus system operated in which members of Congress from the two main parties met to select their candidates. This placed the nomination in the hands of the party elite ...

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