Pub Pol Test

Question 1

1970s economic crisis

Answer 1

New kind of economic crisis, OPEC crisis increases fuel costs and inflation
Unemployment and inflation both rise simultaneously (stagflation) which goes against traditional economic theory, creating supply shortages
Carter & Reagan solution to the crisis:
Fed increases interest rates to reduce inflation
Increase credit and financialization of economy

Question 2

2018-2019 wave of teachers strikes

Answer 2

These strikes began when teachers in West Virginia staged a statewide walkout in February 2018 over low pay, rising healthcare costs, and inadequate school funding. These strikes spread to other states, which brought national attention to the underfunding of public education and increased the number of educators and supporters running for political office and advocating for pro-education policies. Teaches in West Virginia received a 5% pay raise.

Question 3

Advocacy vs. mobilizing vs. organizing

Answer 3

Related to labor unions, there’s:
Advocacy (experts, lawyers. Ex: NLRA)
Mobilizing: collective action of already-supportive people
Organizing: engaging whole population

Question 4

Business-labor Cold War compromise (around 1950s-70s)

Answer 4

Business-Labor Compromise → focused specifically on collective bargaining, unions appeared more institutionalized (less social movement link and wanted to avoid appearing communist)
One historical theory is that during the cold war until late 1970s, business, labor, and government were in a compromise
Business gets fewer strikes, but has to collectively bargain fairly with unions
Labor gets decent wages in contracts
Government gets less radicalism and disruption

Question 5

Change To Win

Answer 5

Jane macelevy
Immigration/new voices slate?
Change to Win is a coalition of labor unions formed in 2005 as a breakaway group from the AFL-CIO with the goal of addressing their shortcomings. Change to Win emphasized a return to aggressive organizing efforts to unionize more workers in industries like healthcare, retail, and food service. By the 2010s, however, Change to Win’s influence had diminished as a standalone force in the labor movement.

Like the New Voices Slate, a focus on community and social movement organizing

Question 6

Civil rights lawsuits against unions

Answer 6

Civil rights lawsuits against unions generally arise when individuals or groups claim that unions have violated their civil rights, particularly in ways that discriminate against workers based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics. In the case of Smith v. United Mine Workers of America (1995), the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that a union violated Title VII by discriminating against Black workers in its membership and leadership positions. This case helped establish that unions are not immune from civil rights laws and can be held accountable for discriminatory practices.

Question 7

Costs of strikes

Answer 7

Public sector strikes are illegal in many states, workers going without pay, some workers might oppose the strike (less solidarity = more difficulty), could provoke employer backlash (threats to job security/safety

Question 8

Domestic workers movements

Answer 8

Domestic workers include nannies, housekeepers, cleaners, and other household service workers that have historically been excluded from labor protections and social rights. Advocacy began in the 1960s with the National Domestic Workers Union (NDWU), and consisted of efforts to recognize domestic workers as formal workers. In 2013, the Domestic Workers United in New York advocated for better wage standards and workplace safety, which resulted in the passing of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.

Question 9

Effect of strikes on politics

Answer 9

Strikes can disrupt industries, causing economic losses that influence public policy. For example, supply chain disruptions might push governments to mediate or legislate to resolve disputes quickly. In recent years, media coverage of strikes can amplify workers’ demands and pressure policymakers to address the issues.

Question 10

Financialization

Answer 10

Financialization refers to the increasing dominance of financial markets and institutions, which happened in the United States by the 1990s. In this capacity, companies prioritize maximizing profits for shareholders, often at the expense of workers. The prioritization of financial returns over productive investment has been linked to stagnant or declining real c for workers, even in periods of economic growth.

By 1990’s, labor was much weaker due to:
Deindustrialization of more unionized industries
Increasingly aggressive employer opposition
Policy (such as right to work laws)
Weaker NLRB enforcement
→ economy was much more financialized

Question 11

Frymer’s argument about legal fragmentation of labor & civil rights

Answer 11

The different civil rights + labor policies didn’t include the other sector (civil rights law doesn’t include labor, labor law doesn’t include civil rights) so there’s a patchwork system that doesn’t really work. There’s a conflict created between labor and civil rights activists, weakening labor and civil rights efforts

NLRA is not strong on race:
Closed shops
Hiring is done by current senior union members (building trades stil mostly do this)
Racialized seniority within union locals
Segregated locals
No civil rights, anit-discrimination clauses: racism is not an unfair labor practice

Question 12

Gender in the Civil Rights Act

Answer 12

Civil rights act bans employment discrimination based on race, religion, and gender

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 bans employment discrimination based on race, religion, and gender. It applies to hiring, pay, and workplace conditions of employment. Despite its inclusion, gender equality in the workplace remains an ongoing struggle, as issues like the gender pay gap and workplace discrimination persist.

Question 13

Gender pay gap (and explanations for it)

Answer 13

Biological theories
Cultural socialization theories
Discrimination theories

Examples of mechanisms:
-Caretaking responsibilities
-Different preferences for kinds of work

Question 14

General strike

Answer 14

When workers across many industries strike simultaneously
Ex. “greece hit by general strike as thousands or workers protest over the high cost of living”

Question 15

Guaranteed minimum income and universal basic income

Answer 15

Guaranteed minimum income and universal basic income are two proposed social welfare policies aimed at reducing poverty and supporting workers. GMI is a system where individuals or households receive a guaranteed income from the government, which is likely to be provided only to those whose income falls below a certain threshold. The goal is to ensure that all individuals have a minimum level of financial security. UBI is an unconditional cash payment provided to all citizens, regardless of income, wealth, or employment status. It is a flat, regular payment intended to cover basic living expenses. These policies could change how work is structured, make it less dependent on full-time, traditional employment.

Question 16

History of race in public vs. private sector unions

Answer 16

Historically, private sector unions like the American Federation of Labor (AFL) excluded Black and minority workers. In the 1930s, unions like the CIO began organizing Black and white workers together in sectors like steel and auto manufacturing. Many Black workers joined public sector unions during the surge of public sector unionization in the 1950s. Public sector unions also became allies during the civil rights movement, with unions like the AFSCME actively advocating for racial equity in the workplace.

Public sector unions are created by policy, which made them more racially diverse from the beginning.
Hiring not based on relationships with current senior union members
Always just-cause termination, not at-will

Question 17

Jameel & Yerardi’s argument about workplace discrimination

Answer 17

Jameel and Yerardi highlight that workplace discrimination persists despite legal protections. Their research underscores systemic biases in hiring, promotion, and treatment, which disproportionately affect marginalized groups. They advocate for stronger enforcement of anti-discrimination laws to address these inequities.

Potential sig. → Even if on the surface, it appears that discrimination is not occuring, it can happen in ways that are subtle/hard to track quantitatively
Why studies/research as highlighted above is important

Question 18

Job Guarantee

Answer 18

Job Guarantee dictates the state as the employer of last resort. Is also implemented through public works projects, grants for nonprofits to hire, and tax incentives for employers to hire more.

Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the New Deal

Question 19

John Zaller’s R-A-S model

Answer 19

Receive → People are exposed to political information through various sources like media, conversations, and campaigns. However, they only receive or notice messages that align with their level of political awareness.

Accept → Individuals decide whether to accept the received information. Acceptance depends on their predispositions, such as core beliefs, values, or party loyalties. People are more likely to accept information that aligns with these predispositions and reject information that conflicts with them.
The apolitical will accept communication from anywhere but recieve messages only rarely

Sample → When expressing opinions (e.g., in a survey), people “sample” from the considerations available in their minds at that moment. These considerations are shaped by the information they’ve received and accepted over time. Recent and salient information tends to weigh more heavily.

Question 20

Labor violations vs. discrimination

Answer 20

Labor violations refer to breaches of labor laws or regulations, typically involving workers’ rights to fair wages, safe working conditions, and collective bargaining. These are governed by laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). Discrimination refers to unfair treatment of an employee based on characteristics like race, gender, religion, etc. These are governed by laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Examples of unfair labor practices:
Retaliation for union organizing, bad fait or residual to bargain, illegal strike, other labor law violations (e.g. wage theft)

Examples of civil rights violations:
Discrimination in hiring, pay, or termination
Hostile work environment

In general, claims of discrimination require more evidence of perpetrator’s intent
NLRB enforcement tends to require less intent
But in both situations, enforcement is slow and small damages (meaning the deterrent effect is small)

Question 21

Marriage and women’s “outside options”

Answer 21

Marriage rates have declined (from over 80% in 1970s to about 30% today)
Women used to have a few outside options
Divorce nearly impossible (especially without husband’s consent)
Within marriage, sexist law and culture made it hard for a wife to negotiate better arrangement.
Gender exclusion in labor markets made it hard for single women to financially support themselves and/or families.
Pregnancy more constraining (abortion mostly illegal)
As policy and culture increased outside options, women got more bargaining power.

Question 22

McAlevey’s argument(s) about union organizing

Answer 22

Jane McAlevey emphasizes “whole worker organizing,” engaging workers beyond their workplaces to address broader community and social issues. She critiques “mobilizing” approaches as insufficient, advocating for deep, participatory union campaigns that build worker-led power capable of achieving transformative change.

Question 23

New Voices Slate

Answer 23

Emerged in 1995 as a progressive alternative to the Congress of Industrial Organizations
Aimed to reclaim its place within the labor movement as a force for justice
Work was centered around community organizing
Building on movements like Justice for Janitors

Question 24

No-strike provisions

Answer 24

Clauses in labor agreements that prohibit workers from striking during the term of the contract – makes striking illegal

On top of this, public sector strikes are illegal in many states
In general, minimal protections

Question 25

Online vs. in-person organizing

Answer 25

Mixed opinion on whether online organizing is meaningful or if it’s a poor substitute for in-person organizing

Could argue that online organizing allows for wider reach/more involvement, but a counter would be that the participants are less involved/not as passionate or resilient when the going gets tough

Because of smartphones, we live much of our lives
online.
• One theory is that online organizing is a poor
substitute for in-person organizing.
• Related theory is that “antisocial” organizing (e.g., for
fascism) is advantaged online vs. in-person.
– Social media format creates conflict.
• Alternative theory is that online organizing can be
meaningful.

Question 26

Philip Converse’s findings about the public’s political attitudes

Answer 26

Raises question: What System do people use to form political beliefs? Additionally, is the way in which most people form their opinions comprehensive?

What the Electorate Looks Like
Converse, The Nature of Belief Systems in Mass Publics (1964)
Ideological 10%
Social 45%
Personal/Retrospective: 25%
Non-Attitudes: 20%
The Golden Rule of Political Behavior
“Much less logical than psychological and less psychological than social”

Question 27

Post Treatment bias (e.g., in estimating gender pay gap)

Answer 27

“It’s not discrimination, because once you control for occupation, the gender pay gap disappears!”
An argument in estimating the gender pay gap asserts that once you control for occupation, the gender pay gap disappears. This argument is a form of posttreatment bias because it oversimplifies the causes of the gender pay gap and occupational segregation. For example, women are overrepresented in lower-paying fields and underrepresented in higher-paying ones. This segregation itself is influenced by societal expectations, access to opportunities, and historical discrimination.

Ex: Study might find that CEOs, both male and female, make similar salaries, but it may be that there are 100 male CEOs for every 5 female CEOs (gender pay gap still present, but have to take extra step to realize it)

Question 28

Principal-agent problem of bureaucracy

Answer 28

The principal-agent problem arises when one party (the principal) delegates authority or tasks to another party (the agent) who is expected to act on the principal’s behalf. This issue occurs in labor when elected officials (principals) delegate the implementation and enforcement of labor policies to government bureaucracies (agents). If there is misalignment between policymakers and enforcing agencies in terms of interests and priorities, weaknesses in labor rights, workplace safety, and economic equity are likely to emerge.

Question 29

PRO Act

Answer 29

Passed by the House in 2021

The Protecting the Right to Organize Act is a labor reform bill introduced by the U.S. Congress aimed at improving workers rights to organize, unionize, and collectively bargain. It simplifies the process for workers to hold union elections, prohibits employers from firing or discriminating against workers for union organizing, and repeals state level “right-to-work” laws.

Question 30

Resume audit experiments in the study of discrimination

Answer 30

Resume audit experiments are a research method used to study discrimination in hiring practices. Researchers create resumes that are similar in qualifications, experience, and skills, but differ in one key variable like the applicant’s name (indicating race or gender) or their employment history. The results revealed that white sounding names may receive more callbacks than black-sounding names. Female associated names may receive fewer callbacks in male-dominated fields, while male-associated names may face bias in female-dominated fields.

Question 31

Rise of the “union curious”

Answer 31

Generic union approval has been rising, workers less resistant to unions over time

+ younger workers are more supportive of unionization.
This phenomenon has gained attention in recent years, driven by shifting workplace dynamics, economic challenges, and a cultural re-evaluation of labor rights.

However, unionization rates are down
2022 unionization rate (10.1%) is the lowest on record
What are the implications of this?

Question 32

Role of welfare states in gender inequality

Answer 32

KATIE JM BAKER READING: Welfare states allow for more gender equality because they provide benefits that improve independence (maternity leave, less of a gender pay gap = less dependence on a man to provide income)

KATIE JM BAKER READING
Economically (e.g. income, wealth)
Socially (e.g. within heterosexual relationships)
No longer using money as incentive for women to marry

Question 33

Segmented labor markets (by gender)

Answer 33

Access to jobs and promotions is strongly affected by demographic criteria as opposed to individual capacities
Subpopulations (based on race, sex, age, etc.) have easy access to some jobs but not others.
Gendered divisions of labor:
Societal patterns that assign some roles to women and others to men

Question 34

System 1 vs. System 2 (or Type 1 vs. Type 2) processing

Answer 34

System 1
Autopilot, fast thinking (efficient)
Prone to cognitive biases and errors.

System 2
Effortful, slow, and deliberate thinking
More accurate and rational, helps override biases from System 1 when carefully applied.
Can be mentally taxing and slow, Mmay not be practical in time-sensitive scenarios.

System 1 is always active, processing information in the background and providing quick judgments. System 2 steps in when deeper thinking is required. Humans often default to System 1 to conserve cognitive energy, which is why biases and errors can persist.
Understanding this framework helps explain how people make decisions, why error occurs, and how they can improve judgment through conscious effort.

Understanding this framework helps explain how people make decisions, why error occurs, and how they can improve judgment through conscious effort.
From slide: Most people are in system 1 most of the time
More likely to rely on heuristics
Less likely to approach issues logically
More susceptible to cognitive biases
“Training environment” matters
Close, repeated interactions: good
Distant, one-shot interactions: bad

Question 35

Unfair labor practice

Answer 35

Examples:
Refusing to bargain in good faith.
Retaliating against union activity.
Interfering with employees’ rights to organize.

Question 36

Unfair labor practice strikers vs. economic strikers

Answer 36

Different legal protections between the two types of strikes
Unfair labor practice strikers
Workers who strike to protest their employer’s violations of labor laws or their rights under the NLRA
Legal protections:
ULP strikers cannot be permanently replaced by the employer.
They are entitled to reinstatement to their jobs once the strike ends, even if replacement workers were hired during the strike.

Economic strikers
Workers who strike to demand better wages, benefits, or working conditions (i.e., economic reasons). These strikes are not related to employer misconduct or violations of labor laws.
Legal protections:
Economic strikers can be permanently replaced by the employer during the strike.
If replacement workers are hired, economic strikers may only regain their jobs if positions become available after the strike

Question 37

Universal basic income (UBI) experiments

Answer 37

Universal basic income experiments are research studies that test the effects of providing individuals with a guaranteed, unconditional cash payment on a regular basis, regardless of employment status or income level. Researchers assess outcomes like employment behavior, health and well-being, and poverty/inequality reduction. These studies find that individuals often experience improved mental health and reduced financial stress and increased spending on essentials like food, utilities, and transportation.

Question 38

Whole worker organizing

Answer 38

Related to 1996 New Voices slate at AFL-CIO
– Jane McAlevey recruited as AFL-CIO organizer

• “Workers are part of the community, and community
members are workers.”
• “What almost no union does is actually organize their
members as members in their own communities to build
community power. I teach workers to take over their
unions and change them.”

• The underlying theory of change requires a grassroots
mass organization of workers.
​​Distinctions between
– Advocacy: experts, lawyers, etc.
– Mobilizing: collective action of already-supportive people
– Organizing: engaging whole population

• Whole-worker organizing techniques:
– One-on-one conversations with each person
– Organizers’ main activity is listening
– Organizer’s connect individual’s problem collective action
solutions

Question 39

Worker monitoring technology

Answer 39

Worker monitoring technology plays an important role in the labor market today. New technologies are emerging that allow employers to monitor employee productivity to prevent “shirking”. Moreover, as the costs of these monitoring devices decline, employers are able to still get the same amount of worker effort while being able to pay lower wages. Some examples of professions that have to deal with various monitoring technologies include truckers and office workers.