PSC 1002 Quiz: American Gov 4
28 Jan 2019
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The level of gridlock in congress has increased over the last 70 years. Provide an explanation for why it"s harder now for legislators to get things done. In your answer, you should make sure to address electoral incentives, the role of political parties, and the rules that influence how congress itself operates. This question should draw on relevant lecture material, the reading by binder, and logic ch 6. Electoral incentives: simple plurality system, collective action problem, single minded seekers of re-election, avoid unpopular or contested measure. Political parties: parties generate blame, as well as avoid it, struggle to determine republican brand, unpopular president coupled with slim majorities. Congress rules: constitutional design requires consensus (house+senate+president, committee system means a difficult road to bill passage, few minority rights in the house, many in the senate, bicameral.
