The United States may be a
democracy, but the party presidential nomination process - upon closer
inspection - is hardly a shining beacon of democratic light.
For
most of US history, party nominees have been decided by political power
brokers and deal-makers behind closed doors. Parties operate like
private clubs - they make their own rules and are suspicious of
outsiders.
Only in recent history has a more open system of
primaries and caucuses been grafted onto the process to give the average
American a say in who appears on the general election ballot.
In a
close, contentious primary season, however, the veneer of
accountability can rub off, exposing the sometimes unsightly gears that
still power the US political system.
This has prompted objection
from the supporters of two candidates in particular - Donald Trump and
Bernie Sanders - who feel that the party establishments are arrayed
against their presidential quests.
But are their concerns valid? Read on by clicking on the link below.
Read more: Is the US presidential race 'rigged'? - BBC News