PS 111 Final

JUNIPER LEARN 

1. Definition and examples of a collective action problem

  • Individuals benefit from a collective good but have incentives to free-ride.

  • Examples: Climate change mitigation, public goods provision, voting.

  • Leads to under-provision of public goods without coordination or enforcement.

  • Institutions and incentives are often needed to solve these problems.
    Summary: The most important thing to know about collective action problems is that they create a challenge where individual incentives don’t align with group benefits, requiring mechanisms to encourage cooperation.

2. The Downs paradox and how much it relates to reality

  • Voting is costly but the probability of being pivotal is very low.

  • Rational choice suggests people should abstain.

  • However, social pressure, civic duty, and expressive benefits encourage voting.

  • Explains low turnout but also the limits of pure rational voting models.
    Summary: The most important thing to know about the Downs paradox is that it predicts low turnout but real-world behavior shows additional motivations drive voter participation.

3. Possible reasons for low voter turnout in the United States

  • Registration complexity and voting restrictions.

  • Voter apathy or distrust in political system.

  • Frequency of elections and lack of competitive races.

  • Socioeconomic factors and barriers like work schedules.
    Summary: The most important thing to know about low voter turnout in the US is that institutional barriers, social attitudes, and systemic factors all reduce participation rates.

4. Logic of majoritarian v. proportional v. descriptive principles of representation

  • Majoritarian: Focus on majority rule; often single winner districts.

  • Proportional: Seats allocated based on vote share; more inclusive.

  • Descriptive: Representation reflects demographic characteristics of the population.

  • Each principle balances fairness, efficiency, and legitimacy differently.
    Summary: The most important thing to know about representation principles is that they reflect different democratic values and trade-offs between majority control and inclusivity.

5. Advantages and disadvantages of SMP, PR, and mixed electoral systems

  • SMP (Single-member plurality): Simplicity, strong local representation; risks wasted votes, two-party dominance.

  • PR (Proportional representation): Fairer seat distribution, better minority representation; can cause fragmentation.

  • Mixed: Combines local accountability and proportional fairness; can be complex.
    Summary: The most important thing to know about electoral systems is that they shape party systems and representation through trade-offs between simplicity, fairness, and inclusiveness.

6. Duverger’s Law and reasons why it may not always apply

  • SMP systems tend to produce two-party systems.

  • Exceptions occur due to cultural factors, strong regional parties, or electoral innovations.

  • Voter behavior and strategic party alliances can alter outcomes.
    Summary: The most important thing to know about Duverger’s Law is that while it predicts two-party systems under certain rules, context and voter strategy can cause variation.

7. George Washington’s view of political parties

  • Warned that parties foster factionalism and division.

  • Believed parties could prioritize interests over the common good.

  • Favored unity and warned against partisan conflict.
    Summary: The most important thing to know about Washington’s view is his skepticism about parties as divisive forces threatening national unity.

8. E.E. Schattschneider’s view of the positive roles political parties play in representation

  • Parties organize conflict and simplify political choices.

  • Provide structure for political participation and accountability.

  • Mobilize voters and connect citizens to government.
    Summary: The most important thing to know about Schattschneider’s view is that parties are essential for democratic representation and political engagement.

9. Advantages and critiques of parliamentarism

  • Advantages: Fusion of powers allows efficient lawmaking, easier removal of ineffective leaders.

  • Critiques: Risk of excessive executive dominance, less separation of powers.

  • Promotes party discipline and coalition-building.
    Summary: The most important thing to know about parliamentarism is that it fosters efficient governance but can concentrate power within the ruling party or coalition.

10. Advantages and critiques of presidentialism

  • Advantages: Clear separation of powers, fixed terms, executive stability.

  • Critiques: Potential for gridlock, divided government, weaker accountability.

  • Can lead to personalization of power and authoritarian risks.
    Summary: The most important thing to know about presidentialism is that it balances powers but risks political stalemate and concentration of power without strong checks.

11. Conditions that affect the policy-making influence of the typical legislator

  • Seniority and committee assignments.

  • Party leadership and cohesion.

  • Electoral security and constituency demands.

  • Access to resources and expertise.
    Summary: The most important thing to know about legislative influence is that individual power depends on position, party, and political context.

12. Conditions that affect the policy-making influence of bureaucrats

  • Expertise and control over information.

  • Autonomy from political control.

  • Organizational resources and legal mandates.

Political environment and public support.
Summary: The most important thing to know about bureaucratic influence is that their power hinges on autonomy, expertise, and political backing.