Study Guide # 3
Political Science 101
American Government & Politics
Dr. Wm. Eric Davis
College of Southern Nevada
I. Topics:
1. Public Opinion: Make a case for why public opinion should have more
influence on public policy. Make a case for why public opinion should
NOT have much influence on public policy.
2. Political Participation: Outline the explanations for why people do or do not
vote?
3. Campaigns and Elections: Make a case for getting rid of the Electoral College
and make a case for keeping it.
4. Political Parties: What does it mean to be a two-party system and why is the
United States one?
5. Interest Groups: Do special interest groups have too much influence over
policy? If so, why should we be concerned about interest group influence?
If not, why should we not be concerned about the influence of special
interest groups?
6. State Politics: What are some economic problems faced by Nevada and
Mississippi (compared to California) and how can they be resolved?
7. Economic Policy: How do the four major economic theories differ from each
other in terms of managing the economy [Keynesian (Demand-Side),
Monetarism, Supply Side, and Austrian]? How does Congress try to
control its spending habits with the 1974 Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act?
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II. Terms and Concepts
PUBLIC OPINION
Public Opinion
“Population” vs. “Sample”
Simple Random Sample
Margin of Error / Sampling Effects
Reliability (Reliable Question)
Validity (Valid Question)
Index Cutoff Method
Screen Question
Intensity
Stability
Latency
Consensus
Salience
Standard Deviation (measure of dispersion)
Likert Scale
Response Rate
Optimum Sample size
Random Digit Dialing
“Response Set”
Loaded (biased) question
Ideology
Conservative
Liberal
“Push Poll”
PARTICIPATION/ VOTING BEHAVIOR
The Puzzle of Participation
Voter Turnout Rate in Presidential Elections
The Paradox of Voting
Rochester Model
The Perplexity of Turnout
“Calculus of Voting”
Columbia Model
“[R = PB – C]” and ” [R = PB – C + D]
Cross Pressures Thesis
Indifference
Michigan Model
Alienation
Funnel of Causality
Mass Political Movements
Attitudinal Precedence Effect
Retrospective Voting / Prospective Voting
Behavioral Psychology (“Learned Behavior”) “Candidate Differential” E(UAt+1) - E(UBt+1)
CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS
Nomination contest
General Election
Caucus
Primary
Proportional Primary
Winner-Take-All Primary
Modified Winner-Take-All Primary
Open Primary
Closed Primary
Blanket Primary
National Conventions
Convention Delegates
Front Loading
Winnowing
McGovern Fraser Reforms (intent of)
Super Delegates
Super-Tuesday
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974
Disclosure
Contribution Limits
Spending Limits
Midterm Elections
Buckley v. Valeo (1976)
“McCain-Feingold” campaign law
Federal Election Commission (F.E.C.)
Convention Ballot (significance of 1952)
Revolving Rotation Plan
The Electoral College
E.C. Representation
- Significance of the numbers 538 & 270.
- Significance of California
- Significance of Pennsylvania
- Significance of 11 largest states
How Electors are Chosen
Who chooses President if E.C. does not?
Who chooses V.P. if E.C. does not?
The 12th Amendment
Incumbent Advantage
Sources of Incumbent Advantage
Marginal Seat (Less than 10% margin win)
House Incumbent Reelection Rate
Sophomore Surge
Retirement Slump
“Slurge”
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POLITICAL PARTIES
Two-Party System (why we have one)
Multi-Party System
Democrats
Republicans
Dealignment
Maintaining Elections
Deviating Elections
Realigning Elections
Single-Member Districts
Multi-Member Districts
Intermediary Institutions
“Era of Good Feelings” (1804-1824)
INTEREST GROUPS
Pressure Group
Pluralism
Elitism
Lobbying
Litigation
Direct Mail
Interest Group Ratings
Advertising (Radio, TV, and Newspaper)
Political Action Committees (PACs)
Demonstration/Protest
Collective (public) good
* Non-Divisibility
* Non-Rival Consumption
The Free-Rider Principle
NEVADA STATE POLITICS
Comparative Advantage
Export Oriented Growth
Dependency Theory
Import Substitution
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Per Capita GDP
America’s Number 1 Export
“Predatory” Trade Policy
Tariff
Labor Intensive Industries
Agriculture Based Economy
Industrial Revolution
Post-Industrial Economy
• Service Based Economy
• Information Based Economy
Linkage (Human Rights & Economics)
Most Favored Nation (Regular) Trade
ECONOMIC POLICY / BUDGETING
Capitalism
Socialism
Mixed Economy
Keynesian Economics
Monetarism
Supply Side Economics
“Laffer Curve”
Austrian School of Economics
Monopoly
Anti-Trust
Mergers
Corporate Takeovers
NAFTA
GATT
Budget “Reconciliation”
301A Point-of Order (taxing)
301B Point of Order (spending)
U.S. Fiscal Year (October 1 - September 30)
Continuing Resolution
Zero-Based Budgeting
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