According to the article and the textbook what are the factors that influence electability? Be sure to use examples for all of the factors and an opinion.
Basic cognitive processes/perception:
competence:based usually on things such as facial feature rather than on any deep, rational calculation.
-valence, or trustworthiness, and dominance.
-FDR wanted to hide his disabilities.
-Truman instead made a huge tour to show strenghts.
-Studies showed this by asking people to make judgements on peoples competence based on pictures and predicted the results.
incumbency status:
campaign spending:
What are the 6 factors that influenced the midterms mentioned in the article? Do you agree with the article? Why or why not? Explain your opinion in the context of the outcome.
- The economy and people perception of it. 2.Healthcare and Obamacare
- Income and gender inequality
- Foreign policy and all the major world problems
- Presidents Approval Numbers affects those in his party running.
- Fight for the GOP: The tea party brought enthusiasm back in 09 but many felt they did not have mainstream appeal and seemed radical and embarrassed the party.
Counter: People will vote against the sitting president.
-As can be seen by electability article perceptions based on looks play a huge part.
Explain the argument by Christopher Hedges using his logic and as many examples as possible? Do you agree with him? Make an argument.
- Meaning/Purpose:We discover in the communal struggle, the shared sense of meaning and purpose, a cause. War fills our spiritual void.
- Similar to love in many ways including both offer us meaning.But we can’t have both at once. War extinguishes love, he says.
- comradship: of having a the same enemy as someone else. It encourages temporary connections.
Counter: He explains mostly from somebody directly involved in war but doesn’t explain why civilians keep initiating war.
-He offers no solution.
Why are some states rich and others poor? Thought? Opinions?
- good Institutions in place create incentives which helps with economy.
Example: India. Unable to enforce contracts. Inadequate IT and communication infrastructure. - Must have the ability to enforce its decisions. control its corners.
Example: African countries were armies can invade. - Temperature which has a role in diseases and agricultural productivity. Also the heat makes people less productive.
example: Africa and South America
What are the factors that led to the One Child Policy? Thought? Opinions?
- Mao’s policy: was “the more people, the stronger we are” which lead to overpopulation which caused unemployment and famine.
- Economy: Xiaoping said they would not be able to develop economy. Policy passed in 1979 after policy rebellion.
- Security: Famine and unemployment was causing unrest which the Chinese feared would lead to rebellion.
What are the factors that led to the Two Child Policy? Thought? Opionions?
- attempt to fix the gender gap/lack of women: 120 boys were born for every 100 girls. Avoid an increase in violent crime and riots.
- Large elderly population: created a skewed population pyramid, the number of retiree’s and the number of workers are too disproportionate to support.
- Avoid infertility:forced abortions is a major cause of infertility and it was happening.
What are the factors that led to Japan’s Metabo Law? Thought? Opionions?
- rising health care costs: which would strengthen the economy because public health care
Counter: There are no incentives or repercussions for individuals that fail to get their waistline measured.
Opinion:Japan has a culture that look up to the government. This would not go very well in the US.
What are the factors that led to the crackdown on homosexuality in Uganda? Thought? Opionions?
8
What are the three branches of government and what are their rights and responsibilities according to the constitution?
Legislative Branch: consists of the House of 435 Representatives and the Senate 100. Powers: Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes. Declare war. Borrow money. Coin Money. To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts.
Executive Branch: The President and his Cabinet
Judicial Branch: 9 supreme court judges. Interpret the constitution and laws and give rulings.
What are the roles of the president and why has the power of the executive branch expanded over time?
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, grant pardons, convening congress.
Power has expanded over time even from Washington himself added power such as executive privilege.
1. As the nation’s economy grew, the government needed to assume a larger regulatory role.
2. The president is allowed to make decisions in time of war and emergency, being continuously at war has expanded this.
3. The new ways of war required president the ability to act quickly
Counter:
4.Another reason is much is put into the President during his election of what he will accomplish yet the presidents powers are still limited.
What are the checks and balances?
Executive: Veto, Recess appointments
Legislative: Impeachment, Filibuster, override vetos, approves appointments,
Judicial: JUDICIAL REVIEW!
What were some of the arguments that took place among the founding fathers?
Many believe the founding fathers had all the answers and created a perfect document.
1: there was a big debate between the federalists and anti-federalists. many were even against a constitution because they believed it threatened sovereignty of states.
2. Founding fathers were actually scared of democracy for many reasons which is why they created checks and balances.
Are there any problems with the constitution?
- Takes a lot of time to pass laws: Too many choke points/we have a system that’s built for inaction. This was intended by the founding fathers but it does cause problems including lame duck second term.
- Not much Foreign policy consideration. This has been one of the reasons why Executive Branch power has expanded. It does not have a branch specifically handling many foreign policy.
- While the Supreme court is typically very well like it is one of the weak points of the constitution. It is not democratic so the president can appoint who he wants. All they are supposed to do is interpret laws and they can be interpreted in many ways based on how they lean. Even if they interpret, the law can always be changed.
- Electoral election.
What are the most important amendments to the constitution?
Amendment 1: Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech
Amendment 5 and 6 which deal with arrests and trials are important.
New amendment needed that protects right to privacy.
How does our system differ from the British system?
- UK does not really have a written document like the constitution. It is all based on tradition.
- Not as many checks and balances. House of commons can quickly change laws.
- No separation of power. Lord Chancellor was a member of Commons, Lords, and judiciary.
ESSAY Structure.
Introduction:
- Branches and Powers. Presidental power and expansion.
- Checks and Balances. Founding fathers.
- Amendments. Weaknesses. British System.
- Conclusion.
