Political rhetoric in campaigns often includes a challenger attempting to disparage the incumbent by labeling him or her a "Washington insider." Does being an incumbent make a politician more or less effective or corrupt?
Be sure to weigh the pros and cons of incumbency on politicians and society.
Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Recall that incumbents are far more likely to win a given election: over a 90 percent average, even when Republicans retook control of the House.
2. List the advantages of incumbency, including: name recognition, credit claiming, free mail, casework, media access, campaign experience, and redistricting.
3. Note some pitfalls of incumbency that may be used to challenge an incumbent. This could include perceptions of ineffective performance, or perceived character flaws. Party affiliation can be important, such as in the 2010 election, when only 86 percent of House members were reelected. Democrats were viewed more skeptically in the 2010 election.
4. Make an argument on the value of being an incumbent
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An unfunded mandate is
a. a requirement imposed on the national government that provides no funding. b. a requirement imposed on states that provides no federal funding. c. a violation of international law. d. a community development program. e. an order from a judge forcing a city to do something.
Describe a bureaucracy. How does a bureaucracy ideally instill efficiency in government?
What will be an ideal response?
A(n) __________ is a fixed collection of questions used in a social survey that respondents answer
Fill in the blanks with correct word
What is a “clearance point,” as defined by Pressman and Wildavsky?
What will be an ideal response?