Notes&Chapters 1-2

Question 1

What is politics?

Answer 1

Process of how collective decisions are made

Question 2

Collective Dilemmas?

Answer 2

Group problems

Question 3

Collective Action Problem

Answer 3

(Free writer problem) ; Situation where everyone is better off if they all contributed; however, each person has an individual incentive not to contribute as long as others do.

Ex: Global Warming & Taxes

Question 4

Prisoner’s Dilemma Situations

Answer 4

Interaction between two actors (politicians/countries) in which neither has an incentive to cooperate even though they would both be better off if they did.

Ex: China and U.S

Question 5

Coordination problems

Answer 5

Situation where anyone could coordinate with many options but the group cannot choose.

Ex: Going out to eat with friends and deciding where to go eat

Question 6

What values comprise American political culture?

Answer 6

+American Creed+
-Liberty, Equality, Individualism, Rule of Law (No one is above the law), and Popular Sovereignty (ultimate power rest with the people).