Midterm #3 Essay Flashcards
What are the different types of interest groups we went over? Which are public versus private interest groups? Which are more vulnerable to free rider problems?
Public: organize to influence government to produce collative good or service that benefit the general public (in their view)
Equal Rights: organize to promote the civil and economic rights of underrepresented or disadvantaged groups
Economic: interested in their own interests and say no to the “greater good” and that their interests benefit the greater good but it is secondary at best
Government: foreign government lobby the government as well. This is very controversial
Public groups would be groups similar to environmental and human rights groups. The other three are private since they only benefit a small number of people with a similar interest or those who are part of the group Outreach service groups are most susceptible to the free rider problem since they are helping people who are financially unable to contribute society and the economy.
What are the range of resources that interest groups can draw upon? How do they impact the ability of interest groups to get what they want? Do you think that interest groups are better at getting what they want than political parties?
The many resources they had were money (PACs), leadership, membership size and intensity, and information. Money allows them to purchase resources they do not have. Leadership gives the members someone to unite behind. They someone who represents the whole group and what they stand for. The size of the interest group gives them their power by showing that a large number of people support their causes, ideologies, and beliefs. I think that interest groups are better at getting things done. There is so much political gridlock within the government that it is really hard for political parties to get things done since they are not in the middle of everything. Interest groups influence policy makers and congressmen which I think is a more effective way to implementing change by changing the minds of the people who are in charge of making policy and laws.
What is the responsible party model and what are the possible consequences of the guidelines outlined therein? Do you think those who wrote it would be happy with the current situation? Why?
Responsible party model proposes that democracy is strengthened when voters are given clear alternatives and hold the parties responsible for keeping their promises. Political parties give the public a way for holding officials accountable for what they do collectively as well as individually. In america, we do not fit the model completely but it is still important because it highlights the importance of voters holding parties accountable for governing and provides a guideline and outlines so people can better understand fundamental changes in the two-party system. A possible consequence is that it is up to the public to uphold their elected party to what was promised if they won their seat in government. There are many things that can be done behind the public’s back. When a running party says they will do something if they win their office they should do it. They should not wait until someone (the people) call them out on it before they start making some kind of change. I think the people who wrote it would be upset. I don’t think this is a very good type of government style. It is something that only works in strong, disciplined and determined parties but unfortunately it is being used in weaker governments like the US. But with all the polarization and need for sharing of powers between two parties who do not agree, it makes for a government that is unable to do much.
Describe to me the five party systems throughout American history. Focus on the issues and the events that characterized the system. Do you think we are in a 6th party system? If so, what are the issues that define it? If not, why not?
The first party system, parties were largely focused on state vs federal rights and was driven by the elites (founding fathers to early 1800s). In the second party system, parties became mass level organizations where the central conflict was state vs federal rights. The issue of slavery was a constant point of argument (early 1800s to 1860). The third system, conflict was about how to deal with the remnants of slavery and was focused on southern states versus northern and western. Intense regionalism and certain areas of the country were one party states (civil war to about 1900). The fourth party was focused on intensifying the conflicts in the third party system, except parties were now dealing with how to incorporate immigrants and Republicans dominated nation politics (lasted until The New Deal). The fifth system represents one of the biggest realignments where political parties were reorganized around class. This led to Democratic domination of Congress by reincorporating southern whites as basis of party. The sixth system is characterized by being class dominated where the Democrats have become the part of minorities and the Republicans has become the more white party. I believe this is true.
What is the rational voter model of voting? What are some things that increase the costs to voting? Who is hit hardest by voting costs? How can we increase the benefits? Do you think the rational voter model is a useful model for understanding why people vote? Why or why not?
Rational voter model is when people vote because the benefits out weigh the costs. Sometimes the costs appear to be high when someone is not feeling strongly for one or the other candidates, when campaigns do not engage enough with voters, the voter does not feel they have been given enough information, and the fact that one voter’s input will not swing the election. The people who do not have a lot of financial resources are hit the hardest by the costs of voting. People are are not in largely populated communities are also hit pretty hard. To increase the benefits, I think the best thing to do is go out and educate voters. Talking to people face to face shows that their vote is important and it is easier to convey a candidates ideologies. I think it is a helpful model to explain the minds of voters. It can’t help campaigns figure out how to increase voter turn out and get in the heads of voters to figure out the best way to contact them and would be the most efficient way to promote their candidate.
