final Flashcards
Michigan Model of Partisanship
A theory of Voting Behavior that suggests party identification is the most important factor in determining how people vote. According to this model, voters develop a strong attachment to a political party, which influences their voting decisions more than specific issues or candidates. Party identification acts like a psychological bond guiding voters’ choices in elections over the long term.
Downsian Model of Partisanship
Suggests that voters choose political parties based on which one offers policies closest to their own interests. Voters are seen as rational actors who align with the party that best represents their preferences, aiming to maximize their personal benefit. Essentially, it explains partisanship as a result of voters’ policy choice.
Linked Fate
Refers to the idea that individuals from a particular social group- often based on race, ethnicity, or other shared characteristics- perceive their personal well-being as closely tied to the well-being of others in the same group. In other words, people with linked fate believe that the struggles or successes of their group will directly affect their own lives.
Black Utility Heuristic
A concept in political science that explains how African American voters make political decisions, particularly in relation to racial group interests. It suggests that when making political choices, Black voters often rely on a mental shortcut or heuristic that connects their individual interests to the collective interests of the Black community.
Social Pressure and Partisanship
Suggest that people’s political party loyalty can be shaped or reinforced by the social environments they are part of, often leading them to align with the political views of their family, friends, or community
Party Image and Partisanship
Is how the public views a party, while partisanship is an individual’s emotional and psychological alignment with that party. The two are closely intertwined and can reinforce one another in shaping political behavior.
Dalip Singh Saund
A prominent Indian-American politician who made history as the first Asian American and the first Indian American elected to the U.S. Congress.
Black Legislators During Reconstruction
The period following the Civil War aimed at rebuilding the Southern states and integrating formerly enslaved African Americans into American society, a significant number of Black legislators emerged, particularly in the Southern United States. These men and women played a critical role in shaping the post-war political landscape, particularly in the South, where newly enfranchised African Americans were able to exercise their political rights for the first time.
Vote Dilution
The weakening or minimizing of the voting power of certain groups or individuals, typically by manipulating electoral processes, districts, or voting systems. This is often done to reduce the influence of minority groups or certain demographics in elections, effectively diminishing their ability to elect candidates of their choice. i.e., gerrymandering
Mobile v Bolden (1980)
A U.S. Supreme Court case that dealt with the issue of vote dilution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Court ruled that racial gerrymandering (manipulating voting districts to dilute the voting power of minority groups) could not be challenged under the Voting Rights Act unless it could be shown that there was an intentional discrimination against minority votes were diluted in a district; plaintiffs had to prove that the districting was done with the intent to discriminate against Black voters.
Where Elected Officials of Color Succeed
Refers to the places or conditions in which people of color (such as African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, etc.) are able to win elections and hold political office. This success often depends on several factors:
Diverse Populations: Areas with a large and politically active population of people of color where they make up a significant portion of the electorate.
Fair Districting: Electoral districts that are drawn to give the minority communities a fair chance to elect their candidates (avoiding racial gerrymandering and vote dilution).
Strong Community Engagement: Effective mobilization and support from local communities, which may include grassroots organizing and high voter turnout.
Supportive Political Environment: A political system or party that encourages and supports candidates of color, providing resources, platforms, and opportunities.
Fears of Racial Favoritism
Concerns that policies or actions aimed at helping racial minorities (such as affirmative action or other diversity programs) might unfairly benefit one racial group over others, leading to discrimination against people of different races. Some people worry that such measures could give minorities an advantage in areas like hiring, college admissions, or government contracts, even if they aren’t the most qualified, which they view as unfair or as reverse racism.
Deracialized Campaigns
Political campaigns that avoid focusing on race or racial issues, often in an effort to appeal to a broader, more diverse electorate. Candidates running deracialized campaigns downplay their racial identity and instead emphasize common values, policies, and issues that they believe will unite voters across racial lines. This approach is often used by candidates of color, particularly in areas where race might be a polarizing or divisive issue. The goal is to avoid being labeled as representing only one racial group, aiming to attract voters from different racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Black Tuesday Candidates
A politician running for office during a time of economic hardship, where voters are particularly focused on issues like unemployment, poverty, and economic recovery.
Racial Distancing
The act of separating oneself from a particular racial or ethnic group in order to avoid being associated with it, especially in a political, social, or professional context.
Risks of Deracialization
The strategy of downplaying or avoiding racial issues and identities in a campaign, often to appeal to a broader electorate.
Toggling Strategy
Refers to the shifting or alternating approach that politicians or political parties use to adjust their policies, rhetoric, or positions based on changing circumstances or public opinion. This strategy involves “switching” between different positions or messages depending on the political context, audience, or moment in time.
Substantive Representation
Representation of the interests, needs, and concerns of a group or community by a political representative, regardless of whether the representative belongs to that group. Unlike descriptive representation (where a representative shares similar demographic characteristics with their constituents such as race, gender, or class), substantive representation focuses on whether the representative advocates for policies and makes decisions that benefit the group they represent.
Descriptive Representation
Elected representatives should reflect the demographic characteristics (such as race, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, etc.) of the population they represent. It is the notion that political bodies should resemble the diversity of society in order to ensure that the interests, experiences, and perspectives of different groups are adequately represented in the political process.
Service Responsiveness
Refers to the extent to which elected officials, government institutions, or political representatives respond to the needs, requests, and concerns of their constituents. It involves the ability of political actors to provide services, address problems, and meet the demands of the public in a timely and effective manner.
