POSC020 Final

What is Party Identification?

A personal identification with a political party; not just agreement with its policies or candidates of the moment but an enduring identification with the party.

What are Proportional Representation systems (PR)?

An electoral system in which parties receive a number of seats in the legislature roughly proportional to the number of votes that were cast for them among the electorate.

What are Single-Member-District Plurality Systems (SMDP)?

An electoral system in which the state is divided into geographic subdivisions, each subdivision is represented by a single member in the legislature, and the candidate who attains a plurality of votes in that subdivision fills the seat.

What is Ranked Choice Voting?

A theory of voting that lets voters assign preferences to candidates in an election by designating their first and subsequent choices. It is designed to solve Arrow’s paradox problem in elections.

What is the Paradox of Voting?

The paradox that no one should vote if their only reason for voting is to help their favored candidate win. The odds that the rest of the voters will produce a tie are incredibly small, and that is the only circumstance in which the person’s vote will make any difference to the candidate.

What is Critical Realignment?

A theory of elections that describes how certain elections differ in the degree to which they change normal voting patterns, party membership, and policy preferences.

What are Interest Groups?

An organized group of citizens with the central political goal of ensuring that the state follows certain policies.

What is the difference between Social and Political Movements?

Social movements are loosely organized groups that challenge state power, often on emotional issues, sometimes violently. Political movements attempt to change government policy or social values, typically opposing the status quo and often associated with an ideology.

What are Political Opportunity Structures?

Aspects of the political situation that offer a social movement advantages, such as potential allies, absence of competition, or a breakdown of confidence in an incumbent leader.

What are Mobilization Structures?

Characteristics of a social movement that, if present, can help it to succeed.

What are Framing Processes?

Presenting issues and placing them in categories that change how they are perceived.

What is Parliamentary Government?

A system of government where the executive and legislative branches are closely linked as part of the same institution. The parliament is the supreme legislature, and the executive (usually the prime minister) is chosen by the parliament.

What is Presidential Government?

A democratic system in which the executive and legislature are independent of each other. The president leads policy formation and requires legislative consent for policy enactment. A presidential system divides power, whereas a parliamentary system unifies it.

What is the Principal-Agent Problem?

A problem where an agent is given powers by a principal to act on their behalf, but the agent may have different interests and control information, making it hard for the principal to monitor the agent’s actions.

What is Accountability in government?

Holding members of the government responsible by rewarding them when they fulfill citizens' desires and punishing them when they fail to do so.

What is the difference between a Federal and Unitary State?

Federal State: Power is shared between central and regional governments (e.g., United States, Germany, India, Canada). Unitary State: Power is concentrated in a central government, and regional governments derive authority from it (e.g., France, Japan, China).

What is Arrow’s Paradox?

A problem formulated by economist Kenneth Arrow referring to the difficulty of aggregating individual choices into social policy, which affects both voting and economic markets.

What is Violent Resistance?

Resistance that involves force to achieve political goals, often through armed struggle or riots. It can destabilize regimes but typically leads to destruction, loss of life, and escalation of conflict.

What is Nonviolent Resistance?

Resistance that involves peaceful forms of protest, such as demonstrations, strikes, and civil disobedience. Nonviolent resistance tends to be more effective, attracting more support and minimizing casualties.

Why is Nonviolent Resistance more successful?

It attracts larger numbers of people, gains public support, avoids violence, and is harder for governments to suppress.

What is the Paradox of Voting, and why do people still vote?

The paradox is that the individual cost of voting usually outweighs the benefit. People still vote because of civic duty, social pressure, psychological factors, and selective incentives.

How may the Iron Law of Oligarchy be flawed?

The theory suggests all organizations become oligarchies, but it overlooks the possibility of reforms and ignores modern systems like transparency that can counteract oligarchic control.

How can parties help mobilize masses of people?

By creating platforms, organizing campaigns, providing voter outreach, and offering representation that aligns with voter interests.

What is the Free Rider Problem in interest groups?

The issue of individuals benefiting from an interest group’s efforts without contributing. Solutions include offering selective benefits, appealing to solidarity, or using coercion.

What are some reasons for the increase in social movements in recent decades?

Globalization, technology, democratization, and increased inequality have all contributed to the rise in social movements.

What are the pros and cons of loose organizational structures in social movements?

Pros: Flexibility, inclusivity, and creativity; Cons: Lack of coordination, risk of fragmentation, and vulnerability to manipulation.

Why may nonviolent political actions be more successful?

Nonviolent actions garner more public support, maintain moral high ground, and reduce the backlash from violence, which helps movements succeed.

What are the principles of a pure parliamentary system?

The executive (prime minister and cabinet) is drawn from and accountable to the legislature. The prime minister leads the government, and the cabinet must maintain the confidence of the legislature.