PSC 101 EXAM 2 UNLV

incumbent (noun)

An officeholder who is seeking reelection.

Gerrymandering (verb)

manipulate the boundaries of an electoral constituency to favor one party or class.

What is direct primary?

party votes from a few candidates then that one goes against opposing party.

Types of Primaries (3)

closed: only registered party voters (NEVADA)

open: choose which party

top 2: all candidates listed/top 2 go to gen. election

Why does US have a two party system?

single member districts with plurality voting

Majority vs. Plurality

power in congress based on this

majority- 50% +1 votes

plurality- whoever gets the MOST votes

political socialization

the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions

Differences of opinion are often reported by (5) give example

-Partisanship (Democrats compared to Republicans)

-Ideology (conservatives compared to liberals)

-Race (blacks compared to whites)

-Gender (men compared to women)

-Age (young compared to old)

what are the 2 Chambers of Congress and its characteristics

House of Representatives (HOR): 

• All 435 members elected every 2 years.

• House seats redistributed among states according to population

Senate: 

• 100 members; elections held every 6 years, 2 per state, staggered so ⅓ are up for election every 2 years.

No term limits for members of Congress (unlike president)

what are the Chief Executive powers of the president

Enforcing laws (carrying out acts of Congress), issuing executive orders, appointing and removing officials, granting pardons, supervising the executive branch

what are the various presidential policies

Going public, rally around the flag, peaking strategy

what are the various supreme court decisions; aka difference between unanimous opinion, majority opinion, dissenting opinion, concurring opinion

Rule of Four; 4 justices must agree and vote by seniority

Unanimous opinion - all justices agree

Majority opinion - reflects the decision of most justices

Concurring opinion - justice agrees with outcome, but for different reasons

Dissenting opinion - justice disagrees with the majority

going public

The President appeals directly to the public to pressure Congress

• Example: FDR’s “fireside chats,” Obama’s town halls.

rally around the flag

Surge in public approval during national crises (Bush after 9/11)

peaking strategy

Candidates aim to peak in popularity close to election day, not too early otherwise excitement fades, new controversies can arise, or opponent can rebound before

Nixon campaign timed strongest campaign efforts strategically placing them later in the race to make him look most competent and stable option right before voting

what are the 3 diff types of judicial electoral systems

appointment systems, partisan elections, nonpartisan elections

appointment systems

 Judges are appointed rather than elected.

• Often chosen by the governor or legislature, sometimes with input from a nominating commission

• Example: Federal judges in the U.S. are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
  Goal: emphasize qualifications and reduce political influence.

partisan elections

Judges run for office like other politicians, with party labels (Democrat, Republican, etc.) shown on the ballot.

• Voters know the judge’s party affiliation.

• Critics say it can make judges more political.

• Supporters argue it keeps them accountable to the public.

Nonpartisan Elections

 Judges are elected by voters, but without party labels on the ballot

• Intended to reduce party influence while keeping democratic accountability.

• However voters often have less information about candidates.

FED

The Federal Reserve

• manages monetary policy and regulates banks

FDIC

created after the Great Depression to insure bank deposits.

IRS

collects federal taxes and enforces tax law.

jurisdiction

authority of a court to hear a case

Original jurisdiction

a case is heard first in that court. U.S. Supreme Court has original jurisdiction in cases involving:

• The U.S. and a state

• Two or more states

• Foreign ambassadors or public ministers

• A state versus citizens of another state or a foreign country

Appellate jurisdiction

• cases heard on appeal from lower courts

  • Most cases that reach the Supreme Court come through appellate jurisdiction.

• State courts are organized into limited jurisdiction courts (small claims, traffic), general jurisdiction courts (broad civil/criminal cases), intermediate appellate courts, and the state supreme court (highest authority on state law).

what are the 3 types of judicial decision making models

Legal model, Attitudinal model, Strategic model

Legal model

Decisions made based strictly on the law

• rely on the Constitution, statutes, and precedent (stare decisis). The idea is that judges act as neutral interpreters of the law, not influenced by personal or political beliefs.
  ex: A judge upholds a law because Supreme Court precedent clearly supports it, even if they personally disagree.

Attitudinal Model

Judges decide cases based on their personal political ideologies, values, and policy preferences.

• model is often used to explain the behavior of Supreme Court justices, since they have more independence and are less constrained by higher court
  ex: A conservative justice tends to rule against abortion rights, while a liberal justice tends to support them.

Strategic (Rational Choice) Model

Judges consider both their own preferences and the likely reactions of others—such as other justices, Congress, the president, or the public.

• strategic compromises made to achieve long-term goals/avoid backlash.
  ex: A justice might vote narrowly on an issue to prevent Congress from limiting the Court’s power later.

Advantages of an incumbent

• Name recognition and trust within the district.

• Media coverage: More opportunities for free publicity.

• Access to money$$ , existing donors networks

• Personal relationships and local service record.

• High re-election rates: ~90% in the Senate, ~98% in the House.

• Can claim credit for government spending in their district.

What does Congress do beyond making law, powers of congress

Oversight, advice and consent, impeachment process

Oversight - Congress monitors how laws are implemented and investigates executive actions.

• Operation Fast and Furious, Operation Merlin are examples of oversight controversies

Advice and Consent (Senate Only)

• Senate must approve:

• Presidential appointments (executive officials, ambassadors, federal judges).

• Treaties negotiated by the president.

Impeachment Process

• House of Representatives: Brings formal charges (acts as a grand jury).

• Senate: Holds trial and votes on conviction (acts as jury).

• Requires a two-thirds vote to remove from office.

what is the bureaucracy life cycle

creation, growth, maturity/institutionalization, decline/stagnation, reform/termination