POL 201 MIDTERM EXAM VERIFIED STUDY GUIDE
collective dilemma - Answers - situation where there is conflict between group goals and
individual goals/self-interest
collective action - Answers - cooperate to work together OR only one person do all of it
(free rider) example: dirty kitchen
prisoner's dilemma - Answers - similar to collective action but only two actors, example:
campaign negative ads
coordination - Answers - everyone has a want to cooperate but disagree on how to fix
the solution, example: fixing potholes in town
unstable coalition - Answers - an instance in which three or more people must make a
collective choice from a set of alternatives, but any voting coalition in favor of an
alternative can be divided by consideration of another alternative
politics - Answers - process of making decisions, allocating resources, make rules
political system - Answers - the way society organizes and manages politics across
multiple
institutions - Answers - set of rules that determine how people make collective decisions
formal- the constitution (the rule book)
democracy - Answers - rule of the people
direct democracy - Answers - government body that is completely determined by the
people
democratic republic - Answers - government body that is ruled by the people but
through elected officials
characteristics of representative democracy - Answers - 1. institutional- elected leaders,
government body, formal or informal services, representative assembly
2. rights- political rights and civil liberties
3. outcomes- peaceful resolutions of conflict and higher standard of living
Declaration of Independence - Answers - to establish new nation and justify our
rebellion to the world
*not a constitution because does not state any rules/guidelines
, Articles of Confederation - Answers - - the first constitution of the United States
- a weak central government with one branch of government
- federal gov does not control states
Constitutional convention - Answers - - meeting that amended the AoC --> US
Constitution
1. equal and proportional representation
2. liberty vs. strong national government
3. slavery
ratification - Answers - formal approval, required 9/13 to ratify the constitution in order
for it to take effect
Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist views on Ratification - Answers - federalists: do ratify,
institutions designed to restrain government and strong central government needed
anti-federalists: don't ratify, gives federal government too much power
Bill of Rights - Answers - first ten amendments in constitution,
Loose constructionist - Answers - - beliefs constitution is living document
- the meaning evolves to fit society
- language can change by reinterpreting
strict constructionist - Answers - - beliefs constitution's meaning is fixed
- language can only change by ratifying amendment
distribute benefits - Answers - purpose of economic policy
*everyone pays --> everyone benefits (highways)
redistribute benefits - Answers - purpose of economic policy
*everyone pays --> some benefit (Medicaid)
promote economic growth - Answers - purpose of economic policy
*stimulates spending and investment in economy (tax incentives)
stabilize economy - Answers - purpose of economic policy
*manage levels of growth/decline (inflation)
regulate commerce - Answers - purpose of economic policy
*provides rules for business conduct (public safety)
Marxism - Answers - A branch of socialism that deals with class struggles
stages of marxism - Answers - 1st stage- Capitalism: exploited by class + revolt
2nd stage- socialism: dictatorship of working class and rid of private property
3rd stage- Communism: complete equality + no need for state
collective dilemma - Answers - situation where there is conflict between group goals and
individual goals/self-interest
collective action - Answers - cooperate to work together OR only one person do all of it
(free rider) example: dirty kitchen
prisoner's dilemma - Answers - similar to collective action but only two actors, example:
campaign negative ads
coordination - Answers - everyone has a want to cooperate but disagree on how to fix
the solution, example: fixing potholes in town
unstable coalition - Answers - an instance in which three or more people must make a
collective choice from a set of alternatives, but any voting coalition in favor of an
alternative can be divided by consideration of another alternative
politics - Answers - process of making decisions, allocating resources, make rules
political system - Answers - the way society organizes and manages politics across
multiple
institutions - Answers - set of rules that determine how people make collective decisions
formal- the constitution (the rule book)
democracy - Answers - rule of the people
direct democracy - Answers - government body that is completely determined by the
people
democratic republic - Answers - government body that is ruled by the people but
through elected officials
characteristics of representative democracy - Answers - 1. institutional- elected leaders,
government body, formal or informal services, representative assembly
2. rights- political rights and civil liberties
3. outcomes- peaceful resolutions of conflict and higher standard of living
Declaration of Independence - Answers - to establish new nation and justify our
rebellion to the world
*not a constitution because does not state any rules/guidelines
, Articles of Confederation - Answers - - the first constitution of the United States
- a weak central government with one branch of government
- federal gov does not control states
Constitutional convention - Answers - - meeting that amended the AoC --> US
Constitution
1. equal and proportional representation
2. liberty vs. strong national government
3. slavery
ratification - Answers - formal approval, required 9/13 to ratify the constitution in order
for it to take effect
Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist views on Ratification - Answers - federalists: do ratify,
institutions designed to restrain government and strong central government needed
anti-federalists: don't ratify, gives federal government too much power
Bill of Rights - Answers - first ten amendments in constitution,
Loose constructionist - Answers - - beliefs constitution is living document
- the meaning evolves to fit society
- language can change by reinterpreting
strict constructionist - Answers - - beliefs constitution's meaning is fixed
- language can only change by ratifying amendment
distribute benefits - Answers - purpose of economic policy
*everyone pays --> everyone benefits (highways)
redistribute benefits - Answers - purpose of economic policy
*everyone pays --> some benefit (Medicaid)
promote economic growth - Answers - purpose of economic policy
*stimulates spending and investment in economy (tax incentives)
stabilize economy - Answers - purpose of economic policy
*manage levels of growth/decline (inflation)
regulate commerce - Answers - purpose of economic policy
*provides rules for business conduct (public safety)
Marxism - Answers - A branch of socialism that deals with class struggles
stages of marxism - Answers - 1st stage- Capitalism: exploited by class + revolt
2nd stage- socialism: dictatorship of working class and rid of private property
3rd stage- Communism: complete equality + no need for state
