1101 Section (March 22, 2013) Attendance Roll Call Bureaucracy “Quiz” Textbook Highlights: Interest Groups (11:15

only) Focus on key terms only OpenSecrets: Interest group rankings

Textbook Highlights: Congress Learning Outcomes and Key Terms

Textbook Highlights: The Courts Key Terms

Bureaucracy Quiz

What is patronage (aka the spoils system)? What is the merit system? What is the main advantage of patronage? What is the main advantage of the merit system? The Pendleton Act __________.

A. extended federal civil service protections to the states B. exempted a substantial number of government employees from civil

service protections C. increased the number of government employees selected by the spoils

system D. established the principle of employment on the basis of open

competitive examinations E. established a merit system during the Civil War

Interest Groups: Key Terms

Same study tip: Chapter 7 has been assigned for midterm 2 but not specifically discussed in lecture. Expect 2-3 multiple choice questions on this chapter.

Interest group: “An organized group of individuals sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policymakers.” (p. 212) (similar to definition of political party but parties composed of activists with more specific goals)

Interest Groups: Key Terms

Free rider problem How groups solve free rider problem:

Material incentives (selective incentives) Purposive incentives Solidary incentive (solidarity incentives)

How interest groups influence policy: Direct technique Indirect technique

Interest Group Rankings

Which interest groups do you think are the most powerful in American politics?

Consider this ranking of interest groups by contributions to congressional candidates in 2012.

http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/mems.php

Does the list surprise you? Do you notice any similarities among these groups? Does this list tell you who governs?

Congress

L01: Describe the major powers of the Congress as granted by the U.S. Constitution. Paragraph 3 on page 375 provides a model

answer

Congress

L02: Explain the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate with regard to (a) their constituencies, (b) terms of office, (c) powers, and (d) political processes. There’s a nice comparison table on page 349

Congress

L03: Describe the processes of reapportionment and redistricting.

Congress

L04: Discuss the importance of committees to the lawmaking process and the ability of members of Congress to do their jobs.

Congress

L05: Describe the leadership structure in each house of Congress, noting the differences between the House and Senate.

Congress

L06: Demonstrate how a bill becomes a law, and explain how the different processes in the House and the Senate influence legislating.

Congress Key Terms

There are many special terms related to Congress. (The glossary on page 374 lists 57 terms).

Here are some that I think are particularly important: Casework Conference committee Filibuster Gerrymandering Homestyle (contrasts with Hillstyle) Logrolling Pork barrel (aka earmarks)

Congress Key Terms

(continued): Reapportionment Redistricting Seniority system Trustee (contrast to Delegate) Whip

The Courts – Let’s Focus on Key Terms There are a lot of specialized legal terms,

even some Latin terms. Professors love to put them on tests. Judicial review Precedent Stare decisis Judicial activism (contrast to judicial restraint) Strict construction (contrast to broad

construction)

The Courts – Let’s Focus on Key Terms There are a lot of specialized legal terms,

even some Latin terms. Professors love to put them on tests. Concurring opinion Dissenting opinion Writ of certiorari Rule of Four Amicus curiae

Next week: Midterm Two

You will write essay in class on Wed., March 27

You answer multiple choice and short answer questions in section on Friday, March 29

Three potential essay questions posted today on ELC. Two will appear on test, so PREPARE OUTLINES FOR

TWO QUESTIONS.