Chapter 10 Review

Question 0

Profile of a typical voter

Answer 0

A white women who is 65+ married with a college degree and a union member

Question 1

Mandate theory of elections

Answer 1

The idea that the winning candidate has a mandate from the people to carry out his/her platforms and politics. Politicans like the theory better than politicians scientists do

Question 2

Mechanics of the electoral college

Answer 2

Created by the constitution, providing the selection of the president by electors chosen by the state parties. Usually reflects majority takes all (winner takes all gives count to big states) 270 votes to win. Maine/Nebraska can split votes. If a tie it goes to the house of representatives. Montana least 3 and highest California 55

Question 3

Why voter turnout is lower in America

Answer 3

• requirement of voter registration
• government asks us to vote more often
• stimulates to vote is low in the US because the choices offered Americans are not as stark as in other counties

Question 4

Political efficacy

Answer 4

The belief that ones political participation really matters that ones vote can really make a difference

Question 5

Civic duty

Answer 5

The belief that in order to support democratic government a citizen should always vote

Question 6

1800 election

Answer 6

The first electoral transition of power. Was decided by the house of representatives. It was a peaceful transfer of power from the federalist John Adams to the democratic republican Thomas Jefferson. If you were second at the time the runner up was Vice President and Jefferson didn’t want Adams to be his vp so he had all his votes vote for Aaron Burr

Question 7

1896 Election

Answer 7

Fight over economic interests William McKinley of St Luis vs William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska. Bryan traveled all over giving 600 speeches had democratic as the party of the depression (in god we trust with Bryan we bust) McKinley won the election winning 271 to 176 in electoral college

Question 8

2000 Election

Answer 8

Election night was foul of entertainment. The networks reported that Al Gore had won and as Gore was ready to give his speech it was announced that Bush had really one. Because Bush lead Gore by .1% it was an automatic recount and they ended up having to count the election ballots manually 537 votes was all it came down to.

Question 9

2004 Election

Answer 9

President George W Bush vs John Kerry. Called most hard fought president election ever. Kerry claimed that Bush was a reckless leader and had rushed us into war with Iraq. Yet Kerry still supported the war and Bush called him a flip flopper and Kerry could not be trusted by the people. Bush won 286 to 252 in the electoral college

Question 10

Retrospective voting

Answer 10

A theory of voting in which voters essentially ask this simple question “what have you done for me lately?”

Question 11

Art of Ambiguity

Answer 11

Restating the question in common form (not directly giving an answer)

Question 12

Why do voters vote?

Answer 12

• party identification
• voters evaluation of the candidates
• the match between a candidate position on issues and those of the voter

Question 13

Three dimensions of a candidates image

Answer 13

• integrity
• reliability
• competence

Question 14

Policy voting

Answer 14

Electoral choices are made on the basis of the voters policy preferences and on the basis of where the candidates stand on policy issues

Question 15

Anthony Downs Theory

Answer 15

Model of democracy, he argues rational people vote if they believe that the policies of one party will bring more benefits then another party

Question 16

What functions do elections provide?

Answer 16

Elections *institutionalize political activity,

• guide the policy direction of the government,
• providing regular access to political power

Question 17

Connection between policies and elections and elections and policies

Answer 17

A politician is elected and then that politicians policies are enacted (assuming the politician is honest) and a policy is enacted when voters will elect politicians who promise to continue those policies

Question 18

What is the only effective means that people have controlling your government according to V.O. key?

Answer 18

The capacity of the electorate to throw a party from power

Question 19

Innovative petition

Answer 19

A process permitted in some states whereby votes may put prepped changes in the state constitution to a vote if sufficient signatures are obtained on petitions calling for such a referendum

Question 20

Typical voter turnout during the last century and this century

Answer 20

Last century 80%

This century 55%