Exam #2 (larger topics)

Question 1

The major attributes of liberal democracy (review the class outline on Bridges)

Answer 1

• free, fair, open, and competitive elections
• some checks and balances
• rule of law
• social welfare rights
• robust political parties

Question 2

Basic functions served by political parties in the U.S.

Question 3

Capsule history of political parties in the U.S.

Question 4

Reasons why there are only two major political parties in the U.S. (the most important factor centers
on the single-member district, plurality/first-past-the-post electoral system)

Question 5

Important third/independent parties (just a few) in U.S. history and functions they’ve served

Question 6

Reasons parties are weak in the U.S.- but now act as if they were strong (in Congress,members of both parties act with cohesion and discipline, as in strong party systems) due to polarization/tribalism

Question 7

Reasons for deep polarization between Democrats and Republicans in today’s world

Question 8

The traditional electoral dynamic that pusheing candidates toward the center in general election

Question 9

the ongoing change in that dynamic, which fuels hyper-partisanship

The ongoing change in that dynamic: with ever greater numbers of congressional districts
and states that are reliably red or blue, the critical contestation now takes place in the
primaries, in which turn-out is low and the impact of the base is substantial, which
fuels hyper-partisanship, unconstrained by fears of being too extreme and losing in the general
election

Question 10

electoral advantages of incumbents (congressional)

Question 11

key points about proportional representation electoral systems

Question 12

+ and - of SMD/FPTP electoral systems (vs. proportional representation)

Question 13

ranked-choice voting (aka instant run-off): how it works; reasons for adopting it (or not)

Question 14

current controversies over state actions that serve to limit voter turn-out in the name of preventing fraud- and the numerous types of restriction (often referred to as “voter supression”)

Question 15

Role of money and PACs in the electoral process (including for presidential elections): the broad thrust (without details) of campaign finance laws; new role of super-PACs

Question 16

Importance (collectively) of key agencies in the Executive Office of the President: Nat. Sec. Council,
OMB, Council of Economic Advisors, Domestic Policy Council, Office of U.S. Trade Rep., etc.

Question 17

formal sources of presidential power

Question 18

informal (or personal) sources of presidential power/influence

Question 19

Major steps on the road to the White House (i.e., high points of presidential nomination and election
process)

Question 20

changes over time in presidential candidate nomination process

Question 21

function of party conventions

Question 22

Electoral college system: original rationale behind it; the way it works now; 12 th Amendment change
re: electors’ two votes

Question 23

Major features of Trump’s handling of Covid

Question 24

Notable aspects of Trump’s behavior on Jan 6, 2021

Question 25

Major elements of the Big Lie/ “Stop the Steal” campaign

Question 26

reasons for Trump’s two impeachments

Question 27

From the Richardson book: major developments in the evolution of the modern Republican Party; major
developments and controversies during (and immediat4ely after) the first Trump presidency

Question 28

Major differences between the two chambers of Congress and reasons (4) behind the
differences

Question 29

Enumerated powers of Congress (Art. I, Sec. 8) Get the thrust of the enumerated powers; no
need to memorize the particulars (But do know the significance of Commerce and
Elastic Clauses)

Question 30

Operational differences between the two chambers (H. Rules Comm., riders, filibusters)

Question 31

Role and importance of congressional committees, especially standing committees

Question 32

Basic steps by which a bill becomes law

Question 33

Electoral advantages of incumbents

Question 34

Basic sources of members’ influence within Congress: leadership positions; expertise;
wheeling and dealing skills; knowledge of rules and procedures; use of networks

Question 35

The Senate filibuster: how it works and how it’s changed; significance and arguments for and against its
complete elimination (the ‘nuclear option’)