The Courts
What is judicial review?
The ability for the Supreme Court to rule Congressional legislation and executive actions unconstitutional
Georgie is pro-choice, supports an expansion of Medicare, wants semi-automatic weapons banned, and supports affirmative action. Is Georgie more likely to be conservative or liberal?
Liberal
What is a single-member district, and how does it relate to a two-party system?
each district elects one legislator
- creating a competitive race only bewteen the top two parties
How does a proportional representation system change the party balance?
Name an interest group on the right, and an interest group on the left.
Right: NRA, Chamber of Commerce of the United States, American Conservative Union, etc
Left: American Civil Liberties Union, League of Conservation Voters, Americans for Democratic Action, etc.
If we eliminate primaries, what type of people does Dr. Hibbing think will be the focus of campaigns?
Moderate voters
Instead of a more extreme liberal and conservative electorate that is usually associated with primaries.
What is the process of getting on a federal court?
President nominates, the Senate confirms
In terms of race, gender, education, income, rural or urban, age, and religion, describe a conservative on the lines of these demographics.
(Must be answered in full for full points)
A conservative is usually more white, more male, has less education above a high school diploma, older, and Evangelical when compared with the usual liberal.
Why do challengers often have a hard time winning elections? (100 points) What is this called? (100 points)
Incumbents have more resources (franking, media privileges, fundraising), name recognition, ability to "pork barrel" legislation, and constituency service. This is usually called the "incumbency advantage."
What is the collective action paradox?
In order to receive full points you need to discuss how the term free rider is related to the paradox
Collective action: people have to work together to produce a public good which benefits all of society
The rational choice is to forgo the costs, and enjoy the benefits of the public good.
However, this raises the question, why would anyone ever participate in producing the public good, if they can receive the benefits without the costs?
Why did Dr. Hibbing argue that judicial review is undemocratic?
Unelected judges can interpret the Constitution, and eliminate laws that elected officials put into place.
Name and describe the two philosophies of how the Supreme Court justices interpret the Constitution. (150 points each; answered fully)
The "Living" Constitution: The Constitution has a dynamic meaning with changing times and technology so that government laws and actions can be passed that are necessary and proper.
"Originalism": The founders gave the Constitution its original meaning that was not to be interpreted outside of its original contexts.
Judicial restraint: Deferring policy making authority to other branches of government.
Judicial activism: policymaking from the Court
What is motivated reasoning?
Starting from a partisan position and finding reasons to support that position rather than looking at facts objectively.
What are the differences between an open, closed, and blanket primary?
Open: Any registered voter can vote in the party primary.
Closed: Only registered party members can vote in the party primary.
Blanket: All candidates are on the ballot regardless of party and the top vote getters advance to the general election.
What are the three types of benefits of joining an interest group?
Material: tangible rewards (AARP discounts on life insurance)
Solidary: relationships from membership (friendship with others in the interest group)
Purposive: internal feelings associated with contributing
If we were to ban ideologues, this would not be the first group of citizens prevented from voting. What are two other groups that have been disenfranchised (both modern and historical examples acceptable)
Historically: African Americans, women, Native Americans,
Modern: Felons
Currently, how many women, nonwhite members, Jews, and Catholics are on the Supreme Court?
Three women, one African American & one Latina, 3 Jews, and 5 Catholics
What are the sources of individual political beliefs?
Not really known. Links to family, teachers/professors, peers, mate selection, media, workplace are weak and for those that are reliant on self-choice show evidence of self-sorting. Due to this, research into individual biology has been the burgeoning route on individual differences on political belief.
Why do incumbents lose more often two years after the turn of a decade?
Decennial redistricting or gerrymandering.
What are the differences between PACs and Super PACs?
Super PACs: a type of PAC that can raise unlimited sums of money to independently support or oppose a political candidate (can be raised from groups or individuals).
They CAN'T contribute directly to or coordinate with political candidates' campaigns
Discuss the evidence presented about the relationship between campaign spending and congressional behavior in office.
Despite common rhetoric, there is no evidence to suggest that spending leads to votes.
What happened in the case Marbury v. Madison (250 points) and why is it important (250 points)?
Marbury was granted a commission by the Adam's administration and the Secretary of State under the Jefferson administration, James Madison, refused to deliver the commission to Marbury, bringing the case to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court found that Marbury should be given his commission, however, Congress had no constitutional right to grant the Court the authority to decide this case. Therefore, the Court found a Congressional act unconstitutional and established judicial review.
In terms of demographics (age, gender, education, religion, income, and location (rural v urban) describe a typical conservative
older, male, among those without college degrees-- more conservative, Evangelical, rural
Starting in 1789 and ending now, describe the evolution of how parties chose presidential candidates.
(Must describe all three main methods for choosing a candidate throughout American history for full points)
Early parties chose presidential candidates through Congressional caucuses. Near the election of President Andrew Jackson, selection of a party candidate moved towards party elites in a party convention. This method was replaced by the wide use of primaries and caucuses after the 1968 presidential election.
What was the ruling of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission? Why is it important?
"A 2010 Supreme Court case holding that a provision of the McCain-Feingold Act prohibiting corporations and unions from broadcasting 'electioneering communications' within 60 days of a general election is an unconstitutional limitation on the First Amendment guarantee of free speech.
"It ... held that corporations and labor unions can spend unlimited amounts of money in campaigns."
Implications: no limit to campaign contributions (independent donations)
According to Dr. Hibbing, why can't we solve extreme ideology by eliminating right and left leaning news sources like MSNBC and Fox News?
Motivated Reasoning:
The tendency to start with your position, and filter information to find reasons to continue to support that position