PSCI 2305 Module 6 - Investigations
What problem might they actually make worse?
the problem of ideas failing to become legislation
According to the article, why was 2016 a good time for a third-party movement in support of a presidential candidate?
A Gallup poll showed that 58 percent of Americans desire a viable third-party option.
What might be the implications of this movement for the future of the Republican Party and Washington policymaking in general?
As Republicans shift further right, a greater climate of disagreement and polarization is likely to occur, further breeding conflict instead of compromise.
Why do some people feel that the Green Party "spoiled" the 2000 presidential election?
Because many liberals voted for Nader in the 2000 election, this tipped the scales in favor of Republican presidential candidate George Bush.
In what way do Republicans and Democrats agree on trade issues?
Both parties argue that future trade deals should support American jobs.
What is one way that the two parties differ on the issue of health care?
Democrats believe that abortion is part of health care, while Republicans believe that abortion is not part of health care.
How do the parties differ on the issue of government spending?
Democrats want to increase taxes on corporations, while Republicans want to enforce a balanced budget.
What is the purpose of a party platform?
It articulates party positions in the hopes of both pleasing party members and attracting voters.
What do both parties claim they will do with Social Security?
Protect it.
According to the article, what ideological shift occurred when the Tea Party rose to prominence?
Republican presidential candidates moved further to the right between 2008 and 2012.
Considering the issue of education, which of the following statements BEST characterizes the positions taken by the two parties?
Republicans focus on parental rights in education, while Democrats focus on eliminating opportunity gaps.
Considering the issue of guns, which of the following statements BEST characterizes the position taken by either the Republican Party or the Democratic Party?
Republicans support constitutional carry.
Why wasn't Jill Stein, the presidential candidate for the Green Party, expected to have much success in 2016?
She received less than 1 percent of the vote in 2012, making a victory for her in 2016 a long shot.
How do Tea Party members differ from Republicans or conservatives?
Tea Party members are, on average, white and middle-aged and have slightly more education and higher incomes.
Though the authors don't provide direct evidence of the Tea Party's effect, what does their analysis suggest the movement has done effectively?
The Tea Party movement has pushed the Republican Party further to the right on the ideological spectrum, toward positions openly hostile to the federal government.
According to Klein, when voters elect independent or third-party candidates to Congress, what happens?
They caucus with one of the two major parties because the rules of Congress are structured to accommodate a two-party system.
What is the problem third parties can solve, according to this video?
Third parties can bring ideas to the table that the two main parties normally would not have considered.
What question does Ezra Klein get more than any other?
Wouldn't a third party fix Congress?
What is a party platform?
a document that establishes official party values and policy positions
In his book Three's a Crowd, what does political scientist Ronald Rapoport suggest third parties need to survive?
a unique agenda and new ideas to introduce to the political conversation
Based on the excerpts from the Democratic platform provided above, how does the party characterize climate change?
as a serious threat that requires both national mobilization and global coordination
Based on the excerpts from the Republican platform provided above, how does the party characterize climate change?
as an issue championed by extremists
Where are party platforms written and published?
at national conventions
What is one way in which Republicans plan to tackle the issue of immigration?
by building a wall along the southern border of the United States
What is one way in which Democrats plan to tackle the issue of immigration?
by ending raids and roundups of children and families
What was Stein's strategy for expanding support for the Green Party?
uniting progressive movements by tying environmental issues to economic and social justice issues
What problem do both Republicans and Democrats say they will address when managing government spending?
waste
When are differences between the two major party platforms likely to be the greatest?
when differences in the electorate are the greatest
