With respect to politics, why do rules matter?
What will be an ideal response?
Varies. Rules define who has power and how they may legitimately use it. Rules also create incentives for action and inaction. An average answer would suggest the organizational benefits of having rules, or alternatively, might allude to the fact that without rules anarchy would arise. A good answer would explain the function rules perform in a political system (as defined above), or suggest an example of a rule that creates an incentive or disincentive for action, such as a local ordinance that rewards those who conserve water or a fine placed on those who waste it. The example in the book concerned supermajority rules, which help a minority gain power.
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According to conservatives, what is the key to the ultimate success of social welfare programs like unemployment, welfare, and food stamps?
a) That they are paid to unwed mothers b) That they include provisions to provide skills and training c) That they are paid for a short time d) That they provide a living wage
What do we call a situation in which uncoordinated actions of individuals lead to less than optimal outcomes because, although many individuals would benefit from some cooperative action or actions, few incentives lead any particular individuals to assume the costs of such actions?
A) Anarchic complexity B) Collective action problem C) Commitment problem D) Prisoner's dilemma E) Stag hunt
In the United States, there is polarization in ____ but not ____ about global warming
A) facts; beliefs B) beliefs; facts C) cities; rural areas D) rural areas; cities E) opinions; assumptions
According to the Supreme Court's 1976 ruling on independent expenditures, which of the following is unconstitutional?
a. any contribution of more than $100,000 made by any one individual b. directing unlimited amounts of money to a particular race c. disclosing personal expenditures to the Federal Election Commission without the individual's knowledge d. limiting contributions that are truly independent of a party or candidate