American National Government

What did the government response to the 2020 pandemic suggest about the relationship between political division and legislative action during a crisis?

Political division can both hinder and facilitate legislative action, depending on the circumstances

Why is the process of politics often marked by conflict and not always successful in achieving happy endings?

Because resources are scarce and values often prove irreconcilable

What logical collective action lesson can be drawn from the Senate's handling of President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial?

Agreement on rules and procedures can facilitate orderly conflict resolution

Which was one of the key achievements of the Framers of the Constitution during the summer of 1787?

Development of a bicameral legislature to balance interests

What is the prisoner's dilemma in the context of collective action?

A situation where individuals benefit more by pursuing personal interests over collective goals

In what way does the establishment of a Rules Committee in the House of Representatives address coordination problems?

It centralizes decision-making to efficiently manage legislative agendas and streamline the coordination of 435 members.

How many members of the House of Representatives are there?

435

How many members of the Senate are there?

100

How many votes by members of the House does a bill require to pass?

218

How many votes does a senate bill require to pass?

51

What does the concept of a zero-sum game explain about certain political issues like elections or controversial policies?

One party's gain is inherently another party's loss

How did President Trump address the free-rider problem within NATO?

By threatening to withhold U.S. military support if allies did not meet their contributions.

What was the impact of Trump's approach to NATO contributions by 2020?

NATO allies increased their contributions significantly.

How does the concept of selective incentives relate to the free-rider problem in NATO?

It encourages countries to contribute by linking national security directly to their contributions.

How did the U.S. government address the free-rider problem during World War II?

By passing a draft law to ensure sufficient military personnel.

What does the 2006 Los Angeles protest against anti-immigrant legislation demonstrate about collective action?

Effective use of focal points, such as media coordination, can mobilize large groups quickly and efficiently.

What is a primary reason collective action can be beneficial for a group?

It provides benefits that individual members cannot achieve on their own.

Why did charities during the pandemic decide not to enforce strict need tests for food distribution?

Monitoring and enforcing need tests would be too costly

Why did the Framers of the U.S. Constitution intentionally create high transaction costs for amending it

To prevent frequent and easy changes to the Constitution.

What role do transaction costs play in the functioning of the Senate compared to the House of Representatives?

The Senate can operate with fewer and less restrictive rules due to its smaller size, reducing transaction costs

How does representative government help manage the costs of collective action in large democracies?

By delegating decision-making to elected representatives who can manage the complexities of large-scale governance

Why do Americans often prefer private action over collective public effort?

They believe private action can yield greater personal benefits compared to public efforts.

What primary function does a nation's constitution serve, as discussed in the text?

To establish governing institutions and prescribe rules for making collective decisions

What is the relationship between the quality of democracy and governing institutions in modern America?

The embedded values and principles in institutions shape the quality of democracy