[POL SCI 11] Representations, Elections, and Voting

microcosm

This word refer to a reflection of something larger.

Trustee Model

This model of representation is when an educated individual acts/decides on behalf of others.

moral duty

According to Edmund Burke, those fortunate enough to be educated and experienced have a _____ to govern wisely everyone’s benefit.

mob rule

According to James Madison, the trustee model works as it avoids _____.

equal

According to John Stuart Mill, not all political opinions are of _____ value.

elitist implications, anti-democratic implications, education does not equate good moral judgement and prone to abuse of power

These are the criticisms with the trustee model (4):

Delegate Model

This model of representation occurs when someone acts as conduit of others’ views and preferences.

the day-to-day lawmaking, discussion, and administration

In the delegate model the representative handle (3):

right of recall

This allows for the citizens to remove an elected representative.

Due to the regular elections and relatively short terms in office politicians are not able to develop interests separate from those they represent.

breeds narrowness and conflict and limits leadership and vision

These are the criticisms that the delegate model faces (2):

Mandate model

In this theory of representation an official order or commission in given to do something.

political party

Who is the agent of representation in the mandate model?

support and follow their party’s program and maintain party unity and discipline

These are what is expected of elected politicians in the mandate model(2):

delimiting voting behavior, vote does not mean support for all platforms of the party, and works only in certain systems

These are the criticisms that the mandate model faces (3):

Resemblance model

This model is known as the representative cross-section where the government should include people from all major groups in society as only a member of that particular group is able to represent them.

increased diversity of elected bodies

What is the purpose of the resemblance model?

elections

This is one of the most viable expressions of democracy and is the formal opportunity for citizens to influence the political process and determine who will hold governmental power.

media coverage, campaign advertisements, and opinion polls

These influence how elections are perceived (3):

public interest

This is the collective well-being of all citizens encompassing values like peace, justice, and fairness and safety.

general will

According to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the _____ is the collective will of all citizens

economic class, religion, values, personal beliefs, and material interests

These are what influences voters (5):

no

There is _____ single, unified “voice of the people”.

illusion

According to Walter Lippman, the very idea of a public interest is an _____.

recruiting politicians, making governments, influencing policy, educating voters, building legitimacy, and strengthening elites

These are the functions of elections (6):

majoritarian system and proportional representation

These are the two main types of electoral systems:

majoritat]rian systems

This type of electoral system favor large parties and often create single-party governments.

majoritatiran systems

In this type of system the candidate with the most votes in each district wins.

proportional representation

This type of electoral system gives parties seats in proportion to their votes, leading to coalition governments and broader representation.

party loyalty, social class and economic background, religion and cultural views, and regional identity

These are the long term influences that impact voting behavior (4):

economic conditions, candidate image, media exposure, political scandals and crises, campaign duration, and current events

These are the short term influences that impact voting behavior (6):

consumer behavior in the market place

What did Anthony Downs likened voting to, wherein he said that voters choose the political product that satisfies their self-interest.

party0identification, sociological, rational-choice, and dominant-ideology

These are the models of voting (4):

psychological model

This is the other term used interchangeably with party identification model.

party identification model

This model posits that people vote for the same party out of loyalty or family influence and focuses on the attachment between voters and a party.

party identification model

This model is the earliest and most traditional theory of voting behavior and emphasizes the key role that political socialization plays.

party loyalty

People’s attitudes towards policies and leaders are shaped through their party loyalty, not independent of it.

social-group model

This is the other term used interchangeably with sociological model.

sociological model

This model posits that people vote based on the social groups they belong to and highlights that social position and group identity is the main driver of voting.

economic or individual model

This is the other term used interchangeably with rational-choice model.

rational-choice model

This model posits that voting is a rational, self-interested act and views voters as independent decision makers.

retrospective voting

In the rational-choice model this type of voting occurs when voters judge the past performance of the government. Good = stay, bad = replace.

prospective or issue voting

In the rational-choice model this type of voting occurs when voters look at current issues and compare party policies, then choose one that align with their needs or belief.

critical or Marxist model

This is the other term used interchangeably with dominant-ideology model.

dominant-ideology model

This model posits that voting behavior is shaped by ideological manipulation and powerful groups like the media, government, and education.