Pivotal Politics

What is the Median Voter Theorem? What do coalitions who break gridlock look like under this model?

-If there's an odd number of members in a majoritarian voting body, the median vote will be determinative of the outcome. -coalitions will be minimum winning size majority, and bipartisan or partisan, since only preference on policy issue matters.

What is Divided vs Unified Government Model on gridlock? What will coalitions that break gridlock look like under this model?

-Gridlock should only be broken under unified government, because under divided government the other party serves as a check on the policy aspirations of their competitor -Coalitions that break gridlock under this model are partisan and majority party size.

Under the Byrd rule, what is not allowed?

extraneous provisions (subjects that do not have effect on budget)

What is the Responsible Party Government Model of gridlock? What will coalitions under this theory look like?

-Parties should adopt well-defined platforms and once they are voted in, they should attempt to enact those policies over the heads of any minority party opposition. -Majorities in this model are going to be exactly equivalent with the number of individuals in that majority party.

Who are the pivots in Krehbiel's theory?

-The president -The veto overrider -The median voter -The filibuster

What is the Conditional Party Government Model? What will the coalitions that break gridlock under this model going to look like?

-When there is major difference between the 2 parties, and similarity within them, ranking file members will empower their leaders in such a way that allows the leaders to control the agenda in a way that benefits their party. -Majorities in this model are going to be exactly equivalent with the number of individuals in that majority party.

What are the three things that Krehbiel thinks that any good theory of lawmaking should be able to do? Why?

1. It has to be able to predict that gridlock is common, but not constant. 2. Identify the testable conditions under which we would expect gridlock to be broken. 3. Predict empirical reality (rare to have purely partisan coalition that breaks gridlock) 4. Identify testable conditions under which coalition lies will grow or shrink. 5. Expose or clarify the essential constraints faced by lawmakers in a democratic society (responsiveness to their constituents) This is because most laws are observed to be passed with more than just a simple majority coalition.

What are the 5 pre-existing theories on gridlock that Krehbiel rejects?

1. Responsible party government 2. Condiitonal Party Government Model 3. Divided vs Unified Government Model 4. Median Voter Thereom

Why does party not matter to Krehbiel?

All that matters is your position on individual policies

Explain Krehbiel's theory

The idea that in every vote you can conceptualize that vote as a unidimensional policy space where lawmakers are rated on a line and their position indicates their support for the policy under consideration.

What is gridlock?

The persistent inability to enact major legislation when majorities on Capitol Hill and/or the president seem to prefer such enactments to the status quo.

What is reconciliation predominately used to do?

To get around minority opposition in the Senate.

What is the fundamental assumption of Krehbiel's theory?

You are going to vote for the policy that is closest to you.