POSC 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Nonpartisan Blanket Primary, Median Voter Theorem, Police Brutality
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Review campaigns & elections
Chapter 10 (4/10/18)
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1. Polarization in American Politics
a. Why has bipartiship declined since the 90’s?
i. Median voter theorem *you have to be careful*
1. Democrats on left
2. Republicans on right
3. Moderate- voters in middle
a. Democrats and repubs will move in middle to get voters
i. Danger of Strategy ^
1. You risk becoming indistinguishable (no
difference) when both move to center, you
become indistinguishable
2. Once parties get closer together- you move
apart (move back out)
3. Ex.
a. If dem moves first/too far, rep would
get moderate voters - show that you
are different but if too far out, other
will get sweeped up
ii. Why it breaksdown?
1.
b. $$$ increased interest group influences (adovocacy groups)
i. Increased polarization
ii. Passion drives activism (role of religion)
c. ‘94 GOP takeover of congress
i. Bill clinton becomes pres.
ii. Launches impeachment
d. ‘99 impeachment of clinton
i.
e. Gerrymandered “Safe” seats
i. So safe that no chance of running against
ii. Decrease in competition = you don't have to play with your moderate
voters)
iii. If goes too far = discrimination
iv. Can give moderate voters
