To what extent is Congress diminishing in effectiveness due to partisanship? Flashcards
What are the 4 factors in this essay?
Increased polarisation
Lower turnouts
Impeachments
Government shutdowns
Why did partisanship increase since Bill Clinton?
Republicans not happy with liberal agenda e.g., increased taxes on the rich.
Why were the Democrats upset with George W. Bush?
Bush had a controversial ‘victory’ in 2000.
He had a tendency to invade middle eastern nations e.g., 2001 Afghanistan.
Why did Republicans say Obama wasn’t American? Who was one of them?
Obama was the 1st black president, more liberal.
To get him out of office.
Donald Trump agreed.
How did Donald Trump increase polarisation?
He was controversial and confrontational.
Provide an example of the effects of Donald Trump on polarisation.
6th January 2020, Trump fans stormed the Capitol due to Biden’s election win after false accusations of being fraudulent.
What do the old graphs of Congress show regarding partisanship?
Combination of party loyalty and LW/RW views showed a big cross-over of Congressmen/women who were willing to vote out of party lines due their ideologies or their constituents’ wants.
What do the new graphs of Congress show regarding partisanship?
No cross-over, bigger party loyalty and an increased divided between the 2 parties.
Republicans more RW.
What turnout do all elections struggle to reach?
60%
What do elections having low turn outs mean?
A small number of voters have a bigger impact on results.
Which elections does social media especially fuel polarisation? What does this mean?
Primary elections- small groups of key voters have disproportionate influence.
Tyranny of minority- majority missed!
How do low turnouts in primary elections affect results?
More extremists able to select Republicans who support Trump to run in nationwide elections.
Republican voters are now voting for versions of their party which would be unrecognizable years ago.
E.g., Lauren Boebert, Islamophobic but in capital.
How do lower turnouts increase partisanship?
More pointing the finger and exaggerating, saying other side are ‘traitors’ and ‘destroying America’.
Bad atmosphere, reduces cooperation.
Out of the last 2 presidents, how many impeachments did they face?
3- same as all previous presidents combined.
Who by and why was Joe Biden investigated?
By Republican House.
Based on small evidence that Biden’s son was involved in dodgy business.
