Chapter 2.3 Flashcards
How is congressional behavior influenced by election process, partisanship, and divided government?
Gridlock
Different forces prevent ideas from passing.
Delegate Model
Representatives vote based on what the people want. Are only elected to represent the people.
Trustee Model
Representatives are elected to use their best judgement on issues.
Politico Model
Blend of delegate and trustee models. Lots of factors go into decisions.
Redistricting
Changing district lines based on census data. It can help a party win the election more easily.
What was the question in Baker v. Carr?
Can the Supreme Court render judgement on the constitutionality of legislative districts?
Give background for Baker v. Carr.
Tennessee law required lines to be redrawn every 10 years, but they were not redrawn. People in cities had much less power than the people in rural areas. Baker sues under the claim that it violated the 14th amendment.
What was the ruling in Baker v. Carr?
6:2 for Baker, saying that this was a justifiable question because this scenario is unconstitutional. Court can change this because of the 14th amendment.
Gerrymandering
Bad district lines drawn to favor a political party.
Swing Districts
Seats that are won by very close elections.
Racial Gerrymandering
Drawing districts based on race,
What was the question in Shaw v. Reno?
Does a congressional district, designed for the purpose for assuring a majority black population, violate the 14th amendment’s equal protection clause?
Give background for Baker v. Carr.
Tennessee had a law that made it so that the district lines had to be redrawn every certain number of years. They didn’t redraw their lines and there was a disbalance in the voices of votes. People sued, saying it violated the 14th amendment.
What was the ruling in Baker v. Carr?
6:2 for Baker. This violated the 14th amendment because it gave some citizens less sway.
Lame Duck President
President who hasn’t been re-elected or is nearly done with their second term.
