Study questions

Presidency:

1. What are the powers granted to the president in the Constitution? What are the non-constitutional sources of presidential power? When were these sources first used?

  • The Constitution grants the president formal powers such as serving as commander-in-chief, vetoing legislation, making treaties with Senate approval, and appointing officials and judges.

  • However, many of the president’s most important powers are informal. These include executive orders, executive agreements, and the ability to appeal directly to the public.

  • These informal powers expanded significantly during crises such as the Civil War and the Great Depression, when strong leadership was needed. Over time, expectations of presidential leadership increased, further strengthening these powers.

2. What is going public? Why is it used and what are its limits?

  • Going public is when the president communicates directly with citizens to influence public opinion and pressure Congress. Presidents use speeches, media appearances, and social media to build support.

  • Members of Congress do not use this as effectively because they lack a national audience. However, going public is risky—if the public disagrees, it weakens the president, and overuse can reduce its effectiveness.

3. What is the unitary executive theory? What are its impacts?

  • The unitary executive theory argues that the president has full control over the executive branch. Supporters argue this increases efficiency and accountability, while critics warn it weakens checks and balances and risks abuse of power. If widely adopted, it may lead to excessive presidential authority over agencies.

4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Electoral College?

  • The Electoral College can provide stability and encourage coalition-building across states. However, it can also produce outcomes where the popular vote winner loses and leads campaigns to focus on swing states, reducing equal representation among voters.

Judicial

  1. What is judicial review and how did it develop?

  • Judicial review is the power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional. It was established in Marbury v. Madison (1803). This power allows courts to check both Congress and the president, shaping how laws are written and enforced.

2. How are federal judges selected and what are the implications?

  • Judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. This process is political, as ideology plays a role. Once appointed, lifetime tenure allows judges to make independent decisions without fear of removal.

3. How does the Supreme Court manage lower courts?

  • The Supreme Court relies on lower courts to handle most cases, which creates a delegation problem. It minimizes differences through precedent, detailed rulings, and the appeals process.

4. What is the significance of unanimous decisions?

  • Unanimous decisions increase legitimacy and show unity in the Court. They are less common today due to political and ideological divisions.

5. What cases are most likely to be granted certiorari?

  • Cases involving national importance, disagreements between lower courts, or the federal government are more likely to be heard by the Supreme Court.

6. How does the Court enforce decisions?

  • The Court lacks enforcement power and depends on the executive branch and public compliance to ensure its rulings are followed.

Interbranch Relations

1. How does the pivotal politics model work?

  • This model explains policymaking through key actors like the median voter, filibuster pivot, and veto pivot. A bill passes only if it is preferred to the status quo by all pivotal actors.

2. Where is the president vs Congress more powerful?

  • The president is stronger in foreign policy due to control of the military and diplomacy. Congress is stronger in domestic policy because it controls laws and spending.

3. How has power shifted over time?

  • Presidential power has grown due to wars, crises, and expansion of government. Congress still maintains influence through funding and oversight.

4. How does government align with Federalist 10 and 51?

  • Madison emphasized controlling factions and maintaining checks and balances. Today, political parties both help organize government and create new tensions through polarization

Political Parties

1. Responsible Party Theory vs Madison?

  • Responsible party theory supports strong parties that provide clear choices, while Madison feared factions would harm democracy. Strong parties can reduce gridlock but increase polarization.

2. What problems do parties solve?

  • Parties organize government, simplify choices for voters, and help coordinate policymaking.

3. Why two parties?

  • Winner-take-all elections discourage third parties, and voters strategically choose viable candidates.

Interest Groups

1. What is pluralism?

  • Pluralism suggests many competing groups create balanced outcomes, but critics argue some groups have more resources than others.

2. What is Olson’s argument?

  • Olson argued that individuals often free-ride in large groups, making collective action difficult.

3. Tyranny of the minority?

  • Small, organized groups can dominate policy because they are more active and motivated.

4. Solutions to free-rider problem?

  • Coercion, moral incentives, and selective incentives can encourage participation.

Congress

1. What explains incumbency advantage?

  • Incumbents benefit from name recognition, fundraising, and constituent services, leading to high reelection rates.

2. Why do incumbents still worry?

  • Elections are uncertain, so incumbents work hard to discourage challengers.

3. House vs Senate differences?

  • The House has stricter rules and faster processes, while the Senate allows more debate and minority influence.

4. What are redistricting constraints?

  • Districts must have equal populations and comply with the Voting Rights Act.

5. Effects of gerrymandering?

  • It helps parties gain seats but reduces competition and fair representation