Exam 2 Terms and Definitions

Question 1

What is a “rational actor”

Answer 1

makes thoughtful and deliberate decisions to advance his or her own interests

Voters, politicians, and bureaucrat’s are rational actors:

1. Act in their own self interest.
2. Respond to incentives.
3. Try to maximize something.

Question 2

Rational Ignorance

Answer 2

the idea that individuals may choose to remain uniformed about political issues because the cost of acquiring information outweighs the potential benefit they could gain from being knowledgeable

most vote out of duty, responsibility, and peer pressure

Question 3

Optimal Behavior For a Politican

Answer 3

Maximize the chance you get elected or re-elected

Question 4

What is unamenity?

Answer 4

means you need 100% to win, however, we don’t want 100% and its never gonna work

Question 5

Median Voter Model

Answer 5

the visual and spoken theory that says smart politician’s move to the center
-optimize! use the people who aren’t in any party and convince them while also convincing your own this is how you gain higher ground.

Question 6

Voting Paradox

Answer 6

the canadite who would get the most votes one-on-one against the other two, loses badly in a three-way race

in other terms there will only be two

Question 7

Local Vs. National

Answer 7

congress people are elected locally but they are supposed to do whats best for the country

Question 8

Paru Barrel

Answer 8

congres gives people money to a district they really dont need
ex. fix roads, build schools, etc

Question 9

Log Rolling

Answer 9

vote trading

Question 10

Campaign Limits and Expectations

Answer 10

To not take high amounts of money from corporations to fun their campaign
- certain limits are they may not accept more than $100 in cash from a particular source
- an anonymous contribution of cash is limited to $50 dollars any excess must be disposed.