Final answer:
A candidate-centered campaign focuses on the individual candidate's attributes and policies, with reduced reliance on the political party for resources. It contrasts with a party-centered campaign, where the political party's platform, resources, and collective goals are central to the campaign strategy. The rise of such campaigns is linked to the availability of communication technology and a general trend toward valuing independent or outsider candidates.
Step-by-step explanation:
A candidate-centered campaign is one in which the candidate themselves take the forefront of the campaign strategy rather than the political party. This type of campaign focuses on the individual's qualities, policies, and personal appeal rather than the broader ideological platform of a political party. These entrepreneurs of modern campaigning are often less reliant on the political party for resources and may use personal wealth or populist appeal to engage voters directly.
In contrast, a party-centered campaign is traditional in nature, where the political party's influence, resources, and collective agenda are central. The party recruits candidates, formulates platforms, organizes voter mobilization efforts, and provides funding. Candidates in such campaigns are often seen as representatives of the party's ideals rather than as individual change-makers.
The shift towards candidate-centered campaigns is attributed to several factors, including the rise in communication technologies like television, the internet, and social media, which allow candidates to connect directly with voters. Additionally, political disillusionment and the desire for an outsider's perspective have fueled the success of campaigns that focus on the candidate's personal brand over party affiliation.
Examples that embody candidate-centered approaches include Ross Perot's independent campaign in 1992 and Donald Trump's 2016 presidential run, which often went against traditional Republican platforms yet harnessed extensive media coverage and a populist message to engage voters.