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156 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Social choices |
Activities in which people must act collectively (Highways, Parks, ect.) |
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Collective Action Problems |
Prisoners' Dilemma, Free Riding, Principal-Agent, Tragedy of the Commons |
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Politics |
The process through which individuals and groups reach agreement on a course of collective action (if no politics, then war) |
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Institutions |
Established laws, practices, and organizations designed to make and enforce collective agreements |
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Authority v. Power |
Authority: The acknowledged right to take action Power: One's actual influence over others |
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Cost of institutions |
Transactions Conformity |
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Authoritarian |
Autocracy - Rule by one person (North Korea, Brunei) Oligarchy - Rule by a handful of powerful elites (Saudi Arabia, China) Theocracy - A state ruled by religious authority (Iran) |
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Democracy |
popular sovereignty protection of rights (only 25 fully democratic countries) |
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Constitutions |
establish "rule of law" in society Provide basics of policy making (how law is made and by whom) Outline responsibilities of gov't institutions Determine who is eligible to serve in government positions |
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The Founding |
Look at notes |
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Political Philosophy and Democratic Governance |
Look at notes |
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Constitutional Convention |
1787, delegates meet to fix articles combine strong national government with protections of individual liberty |
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Issues for Debate (Constitution) |
Strength of Central Government (similar v different) Representation of the Legislature (large states want population, small want equal) Slavery and representation (slave states v free) |
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Strengthening the National Government |
expressed powers specifically described in the constitution (Article I, Section 8) Elastic clause - allows congress to pass all laws that are "necessary and proper" to carry out enumerated power supremacy clause - federal laws trump state and local laws (states do have explicit protections and reserved powers) |
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Legislative Representation |
Virginia plan - bicameral legislature. both chambers by population (one away from pop). single independent executive appointed by legislature New Jersey Plan - unicameral legislature appointed by the states (equal rep). single independent executive appointed by legislature |
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connecticut compromise |
-bicameral legislature -upper chamber (senate) appointed by states equal representation -lower chamber (house) directly elected by people, proportional to population -single, independent executive elected by stat legislatures through the electoral college |
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slavery |
major issue at convention abolition not viable compromises allowed convention to succeed, but set country on path to civil war 3/5 compromise |
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amending the constitution |
more flexible than articles two paths: -2/3 of each legislative chamber, plus 3/4 of state legislatures -2/3 of state legislatures can call for convention; proposed amendments need 3/4 of state legislatures |
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federalists |
-property owners, creditors, merchants -elites should govern. worry about "excessive democracy" "pluralism" -strong national government -alexander hamilton, james madison, washington |
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antifederalists |
-small farmers, frontiersmen, debtors, shopkeepers -elites dangerous. government should be closer to the people -state power. individual power. -patrick henry, george mason |
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federalist papers |
-written by james madison, alexander hamilton, and john jay -outlined arguments that institutions were necessary to solve collective dilemmas -checks and balances would constrain government -countered by "antifederalist papers" |
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popular sovereignty rules! (but not too much...) |
-president is chosen by electoral college # electors = # senators and house members in state and states decide how to choose their electors and allocate their electoral votes -senators chosen by state legislature until 17th amendment (1913) changes to popular vote as part of progressive era election reforms -house members by popular vote -states decide who is eligible to vote. |
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balance majority rule and individual rights? |
congress makes law but the president executes and enforces is. president is commander in chief but congress funds the military |
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checks and balances |
congress passes laws but president can veto and it requires 2/3 congress to override. judiciary interprets law, judicial review |
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bill of rights |
added to address criticisms of anti-federalists rhode island did not ratify the constitution until may 1790 |
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bill of rights |
check it out! |
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living constitution |
we need to adapt the principles and values of the constitution to changing social situations. the constitution is not a suicide pact. |
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original intent |
the constitution represents the rules for society. we can't just change them. writing a constitution is an extraordinary act. document is short and vague. meaning has changed (laws). presidential authority has grown, especially in foreign policy. central power has grown. |
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how democratic is the american constitution? |
dahl |
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federalism |
division of power between on central government and several smaller, regional governments |
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constitutions full faith and credit clause |
states are to recognize actions and decisions taken in other states and legal and proper |
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the privileges and immunities clause |
a state cannot discriminate against someone from another state or give special privileges to its own residents |
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state governemetns |
similar in structure to federal government (bicameral) (gubernatorial powers vary) key distinction is presence of direct democracy - initiative, referendum, recall |
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local governments |
not granted any power creations of state leg. and state constitutions states have given larger cities in their states home rule: guarantee of noninterference in local affairs more variation |
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mayoral |
large citis, mayor has considerable power |
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concil-manager |
small to medium cities |
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commission |
declining in number due to collective action problems |
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special districts |
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DC |
designed to avoid having the capital in any one state retrocession of land donated by aleandria and virginia authority resides with congress (home rule since 1973, no voting representation in congress, non voting delegate) Not an example of federalism |
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US Federal System |
1 us government 50 state governments 89,476 local governments |
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Federalism
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most laws in the us are state laws, differences across states can be significant |
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confederation |
-system of shared powers between two or more levels of government -lower-level governments retain sovereignty -national government cannot compel action |
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unitary system |
-system of central government has all the power -lower level governments (if any) answer to the central government -lower level governments are administrative only |
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dual federalism |
layer cake |
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shared/cooperative federalism |
marble cake |
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strengths of federalism |
political and cultural differences logistics democratic laboratories |
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weaknesses of federalism |
confusion inequality collective action problems coordination tragedy of the commons race to the bottom |
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medicare |
federal program helps pay medical expenses for the elderly same for everyone age 65+ |
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medicaid |
federal program administered by the states helps pay medical expenses for the poor varies by state, 50 different "medicaid" programs |
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progressive era |
(1896-1913) This era saw major expansion of federal gov't regulate food safety, medicine, and clothing breakup of monopolies in oil and utilities 16th amendment: Federal Income tax 17th: direct election of senators |
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expansion of federal power |
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new deal |
(1930s) comprehensive set of economic regulations and relief programs intended to fight the great depression FDR invoked the commerce clause |
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great society |
(1960s) war on poverty as part of the johnson administration great society agenda more than a hundred new programs, the largest of which was medicaid subsidized state programs and implemented national goals |
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lobbying easier to coordinate at federal level |
it is difficult to lobby persuade 50 separate state legislatures congress can be ore efficient as a single federal law can change policy in all 50 states at once the national government may be more receptive to change although the opposite could be the case (Same-Sex marriage) |
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SCOTUS as Arbitrator |
the supreme court resolves conflicts between federal and state governments and in the process creates powerful precedents: McCulloch v Maryland (1819) states can't tax federal government Gibbons v Ogden (1824( Interstate commerce Griswold v Connecticut (1965) Right to Privacy Roe v Wade (1973) US v Lopez (1995) overturn parts of Gun Free School Zones, retrenchment of federal power |
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Modern Federalism: The Carrot |
Block grants: state government or local government receives a specific amount of money to spend for some purpose state government or local government can expand the program, but pay the additional costs little incentive to control costs, but a disincentive to do more |
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matching grants |
federal government matches money spent by states in a policy area, generally between a 1:1 and 1:4 ratio. more likely to lead to program expansion |
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Unfunded Mandates |
states are required to administer poles to which they may object states ma be asked to pay for the administration of the poles crosscutting requirements apply certain rules and guidelines to many federally subsidized state programs direct orders are requirements that can be enforced by legal and civil penalties |
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party |
a coalition of poepl who form a united front to win control of government and implement policy |
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united front |
a bundle is stronger than an individual stick how big of a bundle? -minimal winning coalition -large enough to win -small enough to not dilute the spoils |
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long coalitions |
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agenda control |
the "hastert rule": the job of the speaker is not to expedite legislation that runs counter to the wishes of a majority of the majority... on each piece of legislation, i actively seek to bring our party together positive v negative agenda control |
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party in government |
start in government need to coordinate to pass laws pass better laws if you coordinate |
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party in elections |
easier to coordinate/win with more people like you elect like-minded people mobilize voters |
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Party and organization |
build an organization need to coordinate campaigns and legislation need permanent organization. caucus changes. candidates change |
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Party Identification |
A stable orientation toward a political party in the us, party identificatio can be important party of society generally speaking, what do you think of yourself as? |
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Political Socialization |
parents school and community |
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events and experience |
big events: great depression makes a generation of democrats southerners move to rep party in civil rights era evaluations of candidates, officeholder, and economic conditions 2 strongest republican age cohorts are voters who entered electorate when eisenhower or reagan were president |
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habiit |
repeated voting for one party reinforces tendency to stick with that party over time. youth more likely to support independent candidates on move parties than older generations |
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third parties |
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democrats and republicans |
big broad coalitions consists of relatively like-minded members on economic and social policy |
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domestic policy |
democrats: capitalist but government has a role in reducing inequality, protecting those who cannot copete protecting consumers and advancing the common interest Republicans: Capitalist, governement intervention in the economy reduces individual liberty. government regulation hurts innovation |
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Social policy |
democrats: defend individual expression, accept changing norms in society, support historically-disadvantaged social groups. republican: support established social values, government has a role in defending christian-judeo values. |
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foreign policy |
strong competing factions within each party,disagreements are often more pronounced between branches of government rather than parties |
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Race |
the largest voting divide in american politics. republican coalition relies on white voters who are shrinking part of the electorate 1980 reagan won 56% white voters and defeated carter 51-41% 2012 Romney won 59% white voters and lost 47-51% 1980 white voters 88% all voters 2012 72% |
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gender gap |
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education and class |
lower income favor democrats and upper income favor republicans education varies, lowest and highest elves education favor democrats college graduates in 2012 voted republican |
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geographic sorting |
people are sorting into areas with like-minded voters democrats in urban areas with more youth, minorities, and college-educated republicans rural areas more white and conservative elections are won in the suburbs and exurbs. inner suburbs are wealthier and more divers = more democratic. exurbs whiter and more conservative |
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wealth and congress |
congress run by rich people seeing to gain more benefit for themselves subject to corruption by special interests median net worth 966,000 48% are millionaires freshman 1,066,515 STOCK act to rebut criticism for insider trading |
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Descriptive representation |
an elected body should resemble a representative sample of the voters they are meant to represent concerning outward characteristics |
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substantive representation |
just ideas |
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trustee |
deliberate to come to a conclusion that is good for the nation as a whole, make their own opinion |
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delegate |
regurgitates information from constituents |
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US Delegate Model |
Frequent elections from geographic districts encourages members to act as delegates for district interests |
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Dahl and Representation |
Majoritarian vs Proportional Alternatives to winner take all |
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Majoritarian |
encourages disproportinality makes for better accountability |
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proportional |
everyone gets equally represented, microcosm of constituency |
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runoff |
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preferential voting (instant runoff) |
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proportional representation |
If 30% of the electorate support a particular political party, then roughly 30% of seats will be won by that party. |
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PR plus single member districts |
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Microcosm of Society? |
Wasp age 57 house 62 senate law, business, public service only 25 doctors, 5 nurses |
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Race and Gender Diversity |
AA 13.1%-----9.2%,2 H 16.7%-------7.6%,3 W 50.8%-------17.7%, 20 Most minorities serve in majority/minority districts protected by voting rights act |
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Voting Rights Act |
1982: no dilution of representation and protect ability to elect representatives of their choice 1990 census increase # these districts. 102-103 congress from 27-29 AA, 10-17 H senate favors small rural states |
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Gender |
Women served as placeholders 60-70s more on their own 90s gap bw dems and reps incumbency slows entry of new groups less likely to consider themselves qualified to run not much voter bias anymore (social welfare issues) urban racially diverse and higher income family responsibilities |
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Diversity Impact |
descriptive representatives bring better substantive representation? roll model effect stronger effects little increase in trust in gov't new issues group interests more aggressive advocates for group interests democrats |
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voter turnout |
VEP 57.5% press years <60% midterm <40% MN, WI, CO, NH, IA, ME, VA, MA 70-60% HI, WV, OK, TX, AR, TN 50% |
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demographics |
ed, income, age, region, political efficacy, social connectedness, partisan strenght |
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registration requirements |
70% of eligible voters registered |
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electoral reform |
easy registration requirements: motor voter law, help america vote act, election day registration, early voting, no fault absentee ballots, voting by mail compulsory voting preventing voter fraud: id limits rights of minorities, poor, old, youth |
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Polarization |
overstated, average are less polarized elites are polarized, voters forced to choose (makes it easier for public to see difference between parties and make a choice) |
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youth |
shift to democrats? More divers less religious liberal |
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the paradox |
rich states lean democratic while rich people republican. poor states lean republican, poor people vote democratic about culture, not economics large among wealthy voters low income voters differences are much smaller |
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Polarization |
parties are competing for states and reinforcing the divide. liberal democrats in wealthy sttaes voting against economic interests wealthy in poor red states are not conflicted at all, hens the high slope |
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Nominations |
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coordination of voters |
problem: coordinating voters, get everyone on the same side solution: narrow choices. parties need to choose one nominee |
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nominational tradeoff |
popularity with activists and probability of victory in general election "best candidate who can win" |
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Professionals (pragmatists) |
care about whole party want to win and are willing to compromise particularistic benefits from party |
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purists or ideologues |
care about policy goals care more about winning with the right candidate get instrumental benefits form the party |
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Best person |
correct of policy loyal to the party good leader politician |
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whoh can win |
not too extreme charismatic good campaigner |
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narrowing the solutions |
parties need control of their own nomination |
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control of nomination |
problem: open primaries and strategic voting look at notes solution: conventions |
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conentions
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parties began to settle on their nominee before the convention |
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reform |
mcgovern-fraser commission (1968-1972) |
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superdelegates |
18-20% dem 6% rep |
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post reform |
1972 McGovern wins the system he designed 1976 Carter campaigns in every primary not able to work with own party |
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The Invisible primary |
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electoral college |
house districts + two senate seats states may decide how to choose electors voting for electors committed to candidate of your choice all of the electors committed to them are elected to electoral college (after pop vote win) (ec ME NB) formally vote for candidate in capitols 270 of 538 is new press |
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Implication #1 |
two party system reinforced |
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#2 |
swing states |
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criticism |
small states have an advantage the popular vote winner can lose the election high turnout states are disadvantaged faithless electors (electoral college not voting who they said they would) contingency elections |
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congressional elections |
senate the founders terms and timing qualifications |
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house |
qualifications redistricting frequency three rules that states must follow |
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gerrymandering |
cracking packing current status |
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incumbency |
the fenno paradox: support your own congressman, hate congress |
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incumbents lose? |
scandal competitive district redistricting national factors: coattails, unpopular pres, balancing |
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choosing to run |
open seat vulnerable incumbent ability to fundraise relationship with party |
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chronic low turnout in US |
60% of eligible pop votes. 62% 2008 |
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voting is costly |
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logic of voting |
reducing cost should increase participation |
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total spending |
dems: candidates spend more, more fundraising national party spends the same reps, outside spending more |
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source of donations |
dems, small contributions and large individual reps, less |
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criticisms |
politicians who raise the most win, favors incumbents politicians spend too much time fundraising, not enough governing creates corruption candidates serve their donors increases influence of rich |
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history of campaign finance |
current system a reaction to watergate and corrupt fundraising practices federal election campaign act donations are regulated and must be reported Federal Election Commission |
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Rederal Election Campaign Act (1971) |
Candidates; individual contributions limits, personal funding limits, total campaign speeding limits party contribution limits Political Action Committees Federal election commission |
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Hard Money |
Individual can donate up to 2500 to a candidate per election. Political Action Committees can donate 5000 per election, individuals can donate 5000 per year to PAC |
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Soft money |
less regulated unlimited donations that used to go to parties and now go to outside groups that can not legally coordinate with the campaign |
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Buckley v Valeo (1976) |
supreme court says personal funding limits & total campaign spending limits are unconstitutional individual contribution limis & party contribution limits remain in place today |
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Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act |
NcCain-Feingold Act Reaction to rise of soft money, unlimited donations for party building proliferation of issue ads by outside groups distorting candidate messages raised hard money limits and tied to inflation banned soft money to parties regulated issue ads |
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public opinion |
expressed opinions reflect underlying attitudes |
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attitude |
an organized and consistent manner of thinking feeling and reacting with regard to people |
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how to measure public opinion |
a simple random sample gives and unbiased estimate, and you know the sampling error of that estimate 1200 needed for a nationally representative sample with 3% margin of error |
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early attempts |
straw polls |
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biases in polls |
self-selection phones nonresponse question wording, priming, and framing |
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Received messages from political elites |
highly attentive are more likely to be exposed to new messages also more likely to resist novel new messages resist unfriedly sources |
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Interest Groups |
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pluralist theory |
can't stop factions so must control their effects by having a large republic. will be too many different interests for them to effectively combine and subvert the public good. no one interest can always dominate. gives voice to more interests in a 2 party system |
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elitist theory |
groups with more power and resources have easier time organizing biases public policy in favor of those groups |
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economic |
most common Labor Unions, American Medical Associatino |
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Citizen Activist g |
public interest, single issue, ideological groups Nation right to Life, Sunlight Foundation |
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Government-Related |
National Governors Association |
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Interest group expansion |
60s+70s electoral reforms encourages donations to candidates new deal and great society expands federal gov't programs and regulations tech change open gov't |
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Plato's Philosopher-Kings |
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Hobbes Popular Sovereignty and Monarchy |
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Locke Limited Governemtn & Protection of Rights to Life, Liberty and Property |
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