PLCY 220h midterm

Theoretical framework

Lenses of analysis to generalize

Path Dependency

Past events or decisions constrain later events or decisions, history is important

Coercive power

threat or use of force

diffusive power

institutions 

Why are people powerful

They control resources

Power Elite and Mills

Power lies in positions of authority on a pyramid: eliters are heterogenous, middle are selfish and election driven, masses are huge and unorganized,

Mills power elite key points 

Power preventing revolution, can the masses influence the elite?

Examples of power elite

Chief executives, political directorate, warlords, corporate rich, groups of institutionalized people who run

faction

madison in fed 10, people are united by a common interest or passion

Political Stratum

Activists 

Pluralism

Groups are natural, a multitude of groups govern the US

What does Dahl think about groups?

Power being disperresed about groups makes outcomes fair

two faces of power 

direct - ability to influence decisions 

indirect - ability to influence agenda 

Fenno’s Paradox

Most voters dislike and distrust congress, but local members of congress are reelected at very high rates

rationality principle

all political behavior has a purpose - further their individual goals

bounded rationality 

good enough - cognitive, temporal, emotional limitations impede ability to pursue optimal policy 

Mayhew

Single minded seeker of reelection

Mayhew def. of advertising

Name in favorable image but messages having little or no content

Mayhew position taking 

Explaining positions regardless of if they are feasible or not 

Credit claiming

making sure constituents know policymaker accomplishments

Marbury V Madison

estbalished the power of the court in setting precedent and having the court be the decider of constitutionality - JUDICIAL REVIEW

How is judiciary decided?

Appointed by executive 

Delegate vs trustee model

delegate is rep / mouthpiece, trustee is someone you trust to make decisions for you

formal vs informal representation

formal is the ability of constituents to punish their representative

Venue shopping 

location to get favorable court outcome 

Steps to scotus

1) issue

2) lower court

3) appeals court

4) rule of four

5) oral argument

6) decision issued

Scoutus takes a case when

two states are parties in the case, lots of amicus briefs filed, disagreement in lower court, want to overturn lower court

activist judges

view judiciary as co-equal branch

restraint judges

judiciary as third, lesser branch

Judicial elections in the state

merit selection, partisan and non partisan

NC judicial election

partisan election for 8 year terms