Flashcards on Core Concepts in Political Science

Core Concepts in Political Science: A Student's Guide

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What are the three representative orientations mentioned for politicians and how do they differ?

Anticipatory (reacts to what people would like), Promissory (linked to ideology and promises), Gyroscopic (driven by an internal idea of what a good p

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Political Behavior

35 cards

Card 1

Question: What are the three representative orientations mentioned for politicians and how do they differ?

Answer: Anticipatory (reacts to what people would like), Promissory (linked to ideology and promises), Gyroscopic (driven by an internal idea of what a good p

Card 2

Question: What is descriptive representation and one listed benefit?

Answer: Descriptive representation is when representatives mirror the demographics of the population; a benefit is enhanced communication and potential synerg

Card 3

Question: According to the notes, does increased descriptive representation automatically change substantive representation?

Answer: No — it can enhance communication and has benefits, but it does not necessarily affect substantive representation directly; benefits are said to be mo

Card 4

Question: What does Kymlicka’s problem of representation in proportion refer to?

Answer: The problem concerns fully representing all groups in proportion; proportionality has benefits like synergies and more representatives but also challe

Card 5

Question: What does the Michigan school claim about social position and voting?

Answer: Social position indirectly influences voting behavior, but the key factor is party identification; social position matters but mainly through party ID

Card 6

Question: What is the 'funnel of causality' and what sits at its center?

Answer: A model showing multiple influences narrowing toward voting behavior; the center of the funnel is party attachment/party identification.

Card 7

Question: What key finding from 'The American Voter' is noted about declared preferences vs actual voting?

Answer: There can be a gap between declared preferences and actual vote choice (e.g., people who dislike immigrants still voting for PSOE); party ID and runni

Card 8

Question: What can cause a party to collapse according to Lupu's idea mentioned?

Answer: When there is both an internal conflict and an external conflict simultaneously, the party can collapse.

Card 9

Question: Why do people form or like political parties according to the notes?

Answer: Parties form out of the need to create groups and distinction; they provide collective identity and organize political competition.

Card 10

Question: How is social capital defined and what are its two types in the notes?

Answer: Social capital is the trust between people in a society; two types are bonding (within-group ties) and bridging (cross-group ties). High social capita