ps111 final Flashcards
Definition and Examples of a Collective Action Problem
Definition: A situation where individuals fail to act in their group’s best interest because of conflicting personal incentives.
Example 1: Overfishing in shared waters (tragedy of the commons).
Example 2: Low voter turnout—individuals see their single vote as insignificant.
Significance: Collective action problems highlight the challenge of coordinating behavior in groups without strong incentives or enforcement mechanisms.
The most important thing to know about collective action problems is that they reveal how individual rationality can lead to suboptimal group outcomes, necessitating institutions or rules to mitigate these problems.
The Downs Paradox and How Much It Relates to Reality
Definition: Rational choice theory argument that the cost of voting often outweighs the benefits since one vote rarely decides an election.
Application in Reality: Despite this logic, people vote due to civic duty, social pressure, or belief in the democratic process.
Significance: This paradox questions the rational basis for voter turnout and underscores the role of non-material incentives in democratic participation.
The most important thing to know about the Downs paradox is that it challenges simplistic cost-benefit analyses of voting, pointing to the complex motivations behind political participation.
Possible Reasons for Low Voter Turnout in the United States
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Systemic Issues: Barriers like voter registration requirements and limited polling hours
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Cultural Factors: Apathy or lack of trust in government.
Institutional Factors: Winner-takes-all systems discourage third-party participation.
The most important thing to know about low voter turnout is that it reflects systemic and cultural challenges, highlighting a disconnect between citizens and their political institution
Advantages and Disadvantages of SMP, PR, and Mixed Electoral Systems
SMP (Single-Member Plurality): Simple, clear winner; excludes minority voices, prone to gerrymandering.
PR (Proportional Representation): Inclusive, fairer; risks fragmentation and coalition instability.
Mixed Systems: Balance strengths of both; complex and harder to implement.
The most important thing to know is that electoral systems shape political dynamics, emphasizing different trade-offs between fairness, efficiency, and stability.
Duverger’s Law and Why It May Not Always Apply
Definition: SMP systems tend to create two-party systems due to strategic voting.
Exceptions: Cultural, historical, or institutional factors, like regionalism or proportional representation in parts of mixed systems.
The most important thing to know about Duverger’s Law is that while it explains much about political systems, real-world complexities often deviate from its predictions.
George Washington’s View of Political Parties
Opposition to Political Factions: Washington believed political parties would lead to division and weaken national unity (Farewell Address).
Historical Context: His concerns stemmed from partisanship between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.
Significance: Warned against excessive partisanship undermining democracy and governance.
The most important thing to know is that Washington’s warning remains relevant today, highlighting the potential risks of political polarization.
E.E. Schattschneider’s View of the Positive Roles Political Parties Play in Representation
Role in Representation: Parties link citizens to government by organizing public opinion and political debate.
Simplifying Choice: Parties help voters make informed decisions by aggregating preferences.
Focus on Competition: Argued that competition between parties enhances democracy.
The most important thing to know is that Schattschneider emphasized the indispensable role of parties in making democracy work by organizing representation and encouraging voter participation.
Advantages and Critiques of Parliamentarism
Advantages:
Greater accountability—executive depends on legislative confidence.
Policy efficiency—fewer institutional blockages compared to presidentialism.
Critiques:
Risk of executive dominance if majority support is too strong.
Instability in cases of frequent no-confidence votes.
The most important thing to know is that parliamentarism often ensures efficient governance but can struggle with stability and executive overreach.
Advantages and Critiques of Presidentialism
Advantages:
Clear separation of powers provides checks and balances.
Direct election of the president ensures a clear mandate.
Critiques:
Risk of gridlock between executive and legislature.
Concentration of power in one individual can lead to authoritarianism.
The most important thing to know is that presidentialism prioritizes checks and balances but may face challenges with accountability and legislative cooperation.
Conditions That Affect the Policy-Making Influence of the Typical Legislator
Party Discipline: Strong party systems reduce individual influence.
Committee Roles: Legislators in key committees hold more sway.
Public Scrutiny: Media and public attention can amplify or constrain influence.
The most important thing to know is that legislators’ influence depends on institutional arrangements, party structures, and public visibility.
Conditions That Affect the Policy-Making Influence of Bureaucrats
Expertise: Specialized knowledge can give bureaucrats substantial influence.
Discretion: The degree of independence in implementing policies affects their power.
Political Environment: Alignment with or opposition from elected officials can shape their effectiveness.
The most important thing to know is that bureaucratic influence arises from expertise and discretion, but it is limited by political oversight.
Main Features of Common Law vs. Code Law
Common Law: Based on precedent; judges interpret and apply past rulings.
Code Law: Relies on detailed statutes; judges follow codified laws.
Significance: Common law adapts more to new contexts, while code law ensures consistency and clarity.
The most important thing to know is that these legal traditions shape how judicial systems approach interpretation, flexibility, and predictability.
Conditions Affecting the Policy-Making Influence of Courts/Judges
Judicial Independence: High independence allows judges greater policy influence.
Constitutional Authority: Courts with constitutional review powers play a larger role.
Public Support: Popular legitimacy strengthens judicial impact.
The most important thing to know is that courts influence policy through constitutional interpretation, independence, and public trust.
Distinctiveness of U.S. Profile in Legislative, Bureaucratic, and Judicial Power
Legislative: Congress holds extensive powers but is prone to gridlock.
Bureaucratic: Strong bureaucracy, but often politicized.
Judicial: Unique in its extensive power of judicial review.
The most important thing to know is that the U.S. system is distinct for its checks and balances, leading to both robust oversight and frequent gridlock.
Concept of Market Economy vs. Command Economy vs. Mixed Economy
Market Economy: Minimal government intervention; decisions driven by supply and demand.
Command Economy: Government controls all economic activity.
Mixed Economy: Combination of market and government roles.
The most important thing to know is that most modern economies are mixed, reflecting the limitations of purely market- or command-driven systems.
David Ricardo’s Logic of Comparative Advantage
Definition: Countries should specialize in producing goods they can make most efficiently relative to others.
Significance: Forms the foundation of modern trade theory, encouraging international specialization.
The most important thing to know is that comparative advantage explains why free trade benefits all participants, even if one country is less efficient overall.
Logic of Tradeoff Between Unemployment and Inflation and Policy Tools
Tradeoff: Reducing unemployment can increase inflation (Phillips Curve).
Policy Tools:
Fiscal policies: Adjusting taxes and spending.
Monetary policies: Adjusting interest rates and money supply.
The most important thing to know is that policymakers face constant balancing between growth (reducing unemployment) and price stability (curbing inflation).
Logic of Tradeoff Between Rent-Seeking and Distributional Problems and Policy Tools
Tradeoff: Over-regulation can encourage rent-seeking; under-regulation can worsen inequality.
Policy Tools: Use of taxation, subsidies, or regulations to balance efficiency and fairness.
The most important thing to know is that governments must manage incentives and fairness, minimizing inefficiencies while addressing inequality.
Typical Conservative and Liberal Views of the Two Trade-Offs
Conservative: Favor low inflation, less regulation, and efficiency.
Liberal: Favor reducing unemployment and addressing inequality, even if it risks inefficiency.
The most important thing to know is that these ideological divides shape policy debates on balancing growth, stability, and fairness.
Why the Rise of FDI, Not Just Trade, Is Crucial to Understanding Globalization
FDI Definition: Investments where foreign entities directly control domestic businesses.
Significance: Integrates economies more deeply than trade by influencing domestic industries.
The most important thing to know is that FDI accelerates globalization by fostering cross-border production networks and economic interdependence.
Broad Pattern of Globalization’s Economic Costs/Benefits for Americans
Benefits: Cheaper goods, expanded markets for U.S. businesses.
Costs: Job losses in manufacturing sectors, wage stagnation.
The most important thing to know is that globalization has widened economic disparities, benefiting consumers and businesses while harming less-skilled workers.
Broad Pattern of Who Has Gained in Income from Globalization Worldwide
Winners: Middle classes in emerging economies (e.g., China, India) and global elites.
Losers: Working classes in developed economies.
The most important thing to know is that globalization has reshaped global income distribution, lifting millions out of poverty while increasing inequality in advanced economies.
