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Final Exam Flashcards

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1
Q

what are the two models of representation?

A

delegate & trustee

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2
Q

what does a representative acting as a delegate do?

A

channel the preferences of their constituents even if they conflict with their own policy position (feel obligated to follow their constituents demands)

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3
Q

what does a representative acting as a trustee do?

A

make policy decisions as they see fit using their own best judgement, even if it goes against what their constituents demand

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4
Q

what is a population?

A

the entire group whose opinions or attitude that the researcher wants to learn about

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5
Q

what is a sample?

A

a subset selected to provide data about the population

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6
Q

what are the two types of sampling?

A

random & stratified

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7
Q

what is random sampling?

A

each person is given an statistically equal probability of being selected

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8
Q

what is stratified sampling?

A

method of dividing members into homogeneous subgroups to maintain the proportions of these groups within a sample

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9
Q

what are some challenges associated with polling?

A

biased samples, survey design & question wording, rational ignorance, rational irrationality, apathy & non-attitudes

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10
Q

what is the margin of error and what is its relation to sample size?

A

the range of predicted outcomes for the population based on the data collected from the sample - the larger the sample size, the smaller margin of error

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11
Q

what are non-attitudes?

A

refer to a lack of opinion on an issue, or an opinion so weakly held that it does not enter into a person’s political preferences

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12
Q

what is rational irrationality?

A

voters tend to express a strong bias in the way they process new information

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13
Q

what is rational ignorance?

A

voters rely on “cue givers” who seem more knowledgeable about politics

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14
Q

what is majoritarian democracy?

A

policy decisions ultimately reflect the collective will or demands of the average citizen

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15
Q

what is a well-known example of majoritarian democracy?

A

median voter theory

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16
Q

what is the median voter theory?

A

candidates will try to reposition themselves around the political center in order to get elected

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17
Q

what is the elite theory (elitism)

A

concludes that policy outcomes in America lean towards serving the interests of the privileged few

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18
Q

what is pluralism?

A

policy decisions are the result of dynamic interactions among interest groups that utilize multiple access point within the political system (James Madison theory in Federalist 10)

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19
Q

what are the two types of pluralism?

A

majoritarian & biased

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20
Q

what is majoritarian pluralism?

A

some argue that the existence of a variety of interest will produce results that can be balanced among each other

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21
Q

what is biased pluralism?

A

others argue that a small sub-selection of interest groups have resources and access that give them an upper-hand over other groups

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22
Q

what is duvergers law?

A

plurality voting (first-past-the-post) within single member districts tend to strongly encourage a two-party system - voters avoid wasting ballots on candidates that have little or no chance of winning even if they are more desirable

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22
Q

what is the standard definition of a political party?

A

a group of people organized under a common banner for the purpose of attaining positions that exercise political power

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22
Q

what are the three roles of political parties?

A

organize, coordinate & provide informational shortcuts

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23
why is the US a two-party system?
the electoral system, the federal political structure (fragmented political coalitions) & America's exceptional history and political culture
24
what is the realignment theory?
theory that voter preference may change from one party to another depending on the defining issue of an election
25
what are the two primary dimensions of conflict?
economic issues vs. social/cultural/identity issues
26
what are interest groups?
a diverse array of organizations seeking to collectively pursue goals or advantages for their shared causes (driven by gains)
27
what is the difference between political parties and interest groups?
unlike political parties, their goal is not to seek office (get elected) - typically a narrower focus defined by a specific issue - seek to pursue their goals by influencing the creation of policy in which they favor
28
the american political system was intended to...
encourage the creation of interest groups
29
what was james madisons view on interest groups?
his classical response was not to get rid of factions but to multiply their number
30
what are the roles of interest groups?
steer society towards a balance that approximates the common good (majoritarian pluralism)
31
what do interest groups do?
insider tactics, outsider tactics, litigation & campaign financing
32
what is an insider tactic?
strategies that use access to government officials from within the political process (ex. exchanging and presenting info to relevant policy makers, lobbying)
33
what is an outsider tactic?
strategies that seek to apply pressure from the bottom up by mobilizing public opinion to compel government officials to listen (ex. organizing a letter writing campaign, marches, picketing)
34
what is litigation?
strategies that seek to reform by challenging (or supporting) laws through the judicial process (ex. test case litigation, filing amicus briefs)
35
what is campaign financing?
tactics that seek to influence electoral outcomes (forming PACS & SUPERPACS)w
36
what are PACS and SUPERPACS?
multi-candidate committees, political action committees, that pool campaign contributors and donating those funds to candidates and parties - after citizens united v. FEC, interest groups formed SUPERPACS to assist campaign through independent spending
37
why has interest group activity skyrocketed?
the success of social movements during the 1960s (civil rights movement), expansion of a well-educated middle class, expanding scope of government activity, technological innovations
38
what is the difference between private media and mass media?
private media is used on a daily basis to communicate with one another (text, call, email) - mass media is intended to communicate information to a general audience
39
what is the basic principle of media regulation?
government should not impose prior restraints (censorship) - some regulations are necessary for the purposes of promoting the common good (
40
what are the effects of media?
agenda setting, priming effect, framing effect
41
what is agenda setting?
refers to how the media can determine which issues audiences view as salient or “newsworthy” - what to think about
42
what is the priming effect?
media can alter the context or standard by which people evaluate public discussion of an issue - people who do not care about politics have been primed to perceive certain issues in specific ways
43
what is the framing effect?
media coverage can alter how people think by selectively conditioning the focus and environment for an issue - frames act like plots or story lines - they lend structure and attach values
44
what are consequences of the new media?
decline of traditional media, sensationalism, politicalization or polarization & concentrated ownership
45
the constitution grants states to authorize the...
time, place & manner of elections
46
what are the ground rules of districting?
state legislators exercise primary control over districting, although some states have tasked an independent state commission
47
what is gerrymandering?
refers to the manipulation of the shape of a legislative district to benefit a certain party or candidate (partisan gerrymandering is constitutional)
48
what are the two types of gerrymandering?
packing and cracking
49
what is packing?
the practice of drawing districts to concentrate the population to minimize their voice
50
what is cracking?
the practice of drawing districts in a manner that divides the population to weaken their voice
51
does the voting equipment have to be identical throughout the US according to federal law?
no
52
what is the calculus of a rational voter?
V=pB-C
53
what is the paradox of voting?
based on these calculations, a rational and egoistic voter is likely to conclude that the costs of voting (C) exceeds the expected benefits (B) - thus sitting out of the elections
54
what are ways in which to modify the paradox of voting?
add an extra variable (+D) which refers to a sense of civic duty
55
what are the efforts integrated to improve access to voting?
Motor Voter Act, same day voter registration, early voting, mail-in voting, online registration
55
what are some historical struggles faced in regards to voting?
women rights, poll taxes & literacy tests accompanied by grandfather clauses
55
what are some contemporary struggles regarding voting?
voter registration, state voter ID laws, voting equipment
56
what did Madison believe would serve as an inevitable source of factions?
"unequal distribution of property"
56
what act was passed to help federal funding for voting equipment?
Help America Vote Act (HAVA)
57
what is Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission?
the Supreme Court held that outside organizations (such as corporations or unions) should be allowed to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to advocate for/against political candidates (deregulates money spent independently by groups unaffiliated)
58
what are SUPERPACS?
can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money as long as the money is not a donation and the money is spent independently and do not coordinate their activities with a party of candidate
59
how did partisanship become a mega-identity?
differences have increasingly converged on a singular party identity
60
what is affective polarization?
when partisanship is increasingly dictated by tribalistic feelings of animosity, dislike & distrust
61
what are the consequences of affect polarization?
citizens care more about winning & people adjust their views on policy to align with their party

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