PSCI 2305 #1 Exam Questions with
correct Answers
government - Answer -The institutions and processes through which public policies are
made for society. Time for a change. Governments typically provide services, collect
taxes, and maintain order.
Politics - Answer -The process by which we select our governmental representatives
and what policies they produce
Democracy - Answer -A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government
so that policy represents the public's preferences
-Equality in voting
-Citizen control of the agenda
-Popular Consent
-Personal liberty.
Rational Choice Theory - Answer -Assumes that individuals act in their own best
interest, weighing the costs and benefits of possible alternatives.
Rational Choice Theory Examples - Answer -■Policymaking
-Legislators and presidents support policies usually because it will benefit them on
reelection day
■Gun control
■Immigration reform
■Same-sex marriage
■Voting and political parties
-Voters vote for the person who will benefit them the most
■Interest groups
-It is not always rational for a citizen to join and interest group, but they do. Why?
Incentives.
Downs Model - Answer -Voters maximize chances that policies they favor are adopted
by government. Parties want to win elected office
The Party in the Electorate - Answer -These are the voters in an election; those who
identify with a political party.
Party identification - Answer -a citizen's self-proclaimed preference for one party or the
other
, The Party in Government - Answer -These are the party members actually elected to
government. Candidates are less dependent on parties to get elected, but they still need
help: money, recognition, etc.
Party Eras - Answer -Historical periods in which a majority of votes cling to the party in
power.
1796-1824 - Answer -The First Party System First party: Federalists
1828-1856 - Answer -Jacksonian Democrats v. Whigs
-Modern party founded by Jackson.
- Whigs formed to oppose Democrats
1860-1928 - Answer -The Two Republican Eras
- Republicans rose as the antislavery party.
- 1894 Depression kept Republicans in power
1932-1964 - Answer -The New Deal Coalition
- Forged by the Democrats- relied upon urban working class, ethnic groups, Catholics
and Jews, the poor, Southerners
Party Realignment - Answer -The displacement of the majority party by the minority
party, usually during a critical election.
Critical Election - Answer -A massive change in electoral politics where new issues and
coalitions emerge in one election.
Duverger's law - Answer -Single-member, plurality electoral systems (esp. presidential
systems) produce two-party systems. No incentive for a party that does not have a
chance to win plurality of votes. Multi-member districts with proportional representation
leads to multiparty systems. Incentive to finish second, third, fourth; some
representation in parliament.
Third Parties - Answer -Parties in a two-party system that do not have a realistic chance
of winning. Parties other than Dems or Reps. Rarely win elections, May bring new
groups/people into politics, May be competitive at presidential level, Driven by ideology,
issue, or individual
Responsible Party Model - Answer -A view of how parties should work. Parties should
offer clear choices to voters and act on their campaign promises
1. Parties have distinct comprehensive programs.
2. Candidates are committed to the program.
3. The majority party must carry out its program.
4. The majority party must accept responsibility.
American political parties fall short of these conditions. No mechanism for party
discipline
correct Answers
government - Answer -The institutions and processes through which public policies are
made for society. Time for a change. Governments typically provide services, collect
taxes, and maintain order.
Politics - Answer -The process by which we select our governmental representatives
and what policies they produce
Democracy - Answer -A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government
so that policy represents the public's preferences
-Equality in voting
-Citizen control of the agenda
-Popular Consent
-Personal liberty.
Rational Choice Theory - Answer -Assumes that individuals act in their own best
interest, weighing the costs and benefits of possible alternatives.
Rational Choice Theory Examples - Answer -■Policymaking
-Legislators and presidents support policies usually because it will benefit them on
reelection day
■Gun control
■Immigration reform
■Same-sex marriage
■Voting and political parties
-Voters vote for the person who will benefit them the most
■Interest groups
-It is not always rational for a citizen to join and interest group, but they do. Why?
Incentives.
Downs Model - Answer -Voters maximize chances that policies they favor are adopted
by government. Parties want to win elected office
The Party in the Electorate - Answer -These are the voters in an election; those who
identify with a political party.
Party identification - Answer -a citizen's self-proclaimed preference for one party or the
other
, The Party in Government - Answer -These are the party members actually elected to
government. Candidates are less dependent on parties to get elected, but they still need
help: money, recognition, etc.
Party Eras - Answer -Historical periods in which a majority of votes cling to the party in
power.
1796-1824 - Answer -The First Party System First party: Federalists
1828-1856 - Answer -Jacksonian Democrats v. Whigs
-Modern party founded by Jackson.
- Whigs formed to oppose Democrats
1860-1928 - Answer -The Two Republican Eras
- Republicans rose as the antislavery party.
- 1894 Depression kept Republicans in power
1932-1964 - Answer -The New Deal Coalition
- Forged by the Democrats- relied upon urban working class, ethnic groups, Catholics
and Jews, the poor, Southerners
Party Realignment - Answer -The displacement of the majority party by the minority
party, usually during a critical election.
Critical Election - Answer -A massive change in electoral politics where new issues and
coalitions emerge in one election.
Duverger's law - Answer -Single-member, plurality electoral systems (esp. presidential
systems) produce two-party systems. No incentive for a party that does not have a
chance to win plurality of votes. Multi-member districts with proportional representation
leads to multiparty systems. Incentive to finish second, third, fourth; some
representation in parliament.
Third Parties - Answer -Parties in a two-party system that do not have a realistic chance
of winning. Parties other than Dems or Reps. Rarely win elections, May bring new
groups/people into politics, May be competitive at presidential level, Driven by ideology,
issue, or individual
Responsible Party Model - Answer -A view of how parties should work. Parties should
offer clear choices to voters and act on their campaign promises
1. Parties have distinct comprehensive programs.
2. Candidates are committed to the program.
3. The majority party must carry out its program.
4. The majority party must accept responsibility.
American political parties fall short of these conditions. No mechanism for party
discipline
