PSC 113

Pluralism

Theory that politics is a completion between many groups

Hyperpluralism

Too many groups = gridlock

Power elite theory

Power is held in the elites and wealthy

Party System

How many major parties exist at a given time

3 components of a party

Structure, elected officials, voters who identify with the party

Party Platform

List of policy positions a party stands for

Divided Government

One party controls presidency and the other controls congress

Party Identification

What party you tie too

Partisanship

Loyalty to a party

Negative Partisanship

Loyalty to a party because you hate the other

Ideology

Your set of beliefs

Responsible Party Model

Parties should offer clear choices and voters should hold them accountable

Single member plurality districts

Winner take all system, two major parties

Interest groups

Organizations that tries to influence policy

Types of benefits that attract members

Expensive, solidarity, material

Expensive benefit

You feel like you want to express you’re support

Solidarity Benefit

You want to be part of the group and social belonging

Material benefit

Discounts or perks

Lobbyist

Professional advocate that tries to influence policy makers

Constitutional powers of Congress

Taxing, spending, declare war, regulating Congress, making laws

Negative attitude toward Congress

Slow, gridlock, conflict, negative media coverage

Fennos Paradox

People hate Congress but like their own representative

Activities of Congress Members

Advertising, credit claiming, position taking , constituency services

Trustee

use their judgment

Delegate

Follow what the constituents want

Politico

Mix of trustee and delegate

Bicameral Legislature

House (larger, 2 yr terms), Senate (6 yr terms)

Bill to Law

Draft-Committee-floor vote-chamber-president

Speaker of the House

The most powerful

Senate Majority Leader

Sets agenda

President Pro Tempore

Ceremonial

Sanding committee

Permanent

Joint committee

Both the senate and the house

Conference committee

Resolve differences between the two

Distributional theory

Members seek benefit of the district

Informational theory

Helps Congress make better decisions

Party Theory

Committee help party leaders control agenda

Filibuster

Senator delays vote, need 60 votes to end

Reapportionment

Relocating house seats after census

Redistricting

Redrawing district lines

Gerrymandering

Drawing lines to benefit a party

President Powers

Commander in chief, veto, appoint officials, make treaties

Treaty

Requires senate approval

Executive agreement

Does not require approval

Executive Privlage

President can withhold information

Executive order

Directive from President that that force of law

Commander in chief

Head of armed forces

Pardon

wipe of legal consequences

Commutation

Reduce sentence

Veto and Override

Congress can override veto with 2/3 vote

Honeymoon Period

Initial presidency term where popularity is high

Rally round the Flag

Public unites with president during crises

Going Public

President appeals directly to the people

Unitary executive theory

President should have strong control over executive branch

Major Questions Doctrine

Courts limit agency power on major policy issues unless Congress says otherwise

Chevron doctrine

Courts defer to agencies interpretations of ambiguous laws

Loper bright v. Raimondo

Supreme Court ended chevron deference, reducing agency power

Proposed rule

Published for feedback

Final Rule

Formally accepted regulation

Street-level bureaucrats

Local workers with discretion (teachers,police, social workers)

Limitations of the courts

No enforcement power, must wait for cases, limited jurisdiction

Judicial review

Power to declare laws unconstitutional

Marbury v. Maddison

Established judicial review

Selection factors for Justices

Ideology, experience, political loyalty, diversity, senate approval

Rule of 4

4 justices must vote to hear a case

Amicus Curiae Brief

Friend of the court brief

Majority Opinion

Official ruling

Concurring Oppion

agree for different reasons

Dissenting Opinion

Disagree

Pathway to the Court

Lower courts - petitions - docket chosen - oral arguments- decision

Important power of Congress

Make laws

Directly shapes national policy and reflects the wants and needs of the people through elected reps

Important power of President

Commander in chief

Control of the military gives the ability to act quickly in the event of a crisis

Important power of Judical

Judical Review

Allows courts to check unconstitutional actions

How do interests groups attract members

Through expressive benefits , through solidarity benefits

Help overcome free rider problem by motivating individuals to join even if the befits are collective

Large number of interest croups allows multiple voices to be heard

One reform to negative attitudes toward Congress

Stronger bipartisan committee work, which would increase productivity and show cooperation

Limitations of Judicial Branch

Lack enforcement power and relays on executive to carry out rulings

Make it reactive now proactive in comparison to other branches

Can be considered the least dangerous but still influences policy

Presidential Unilateralism

Practice of unilateral politics helps executive order which allows them to act without Congress

Executive agreement which allow them to conduct foreign policy without senate approval

Helps Nila’s gridlock and conflict to act quickly