Political Science Concepts Quiz

Quiz Questions and Answers

• Descriptive vs. Substantive Representation: Descriptive representation occurs when officials share characteristics with constituents (race, gender). Substantive representation focuses on advocating for constituent interests. Substantive representation is a stronger incentive for good governance.

• Incumbency Effect: Incumbency significantly increases reelection chances due to name recognition, fundraising advantages, established relationships with constituents, and experience in office.

• Gerrymandering: Gerrymandering is manipulating district boundaries to favor a political party or group. It leads to non-competitive districts, distorts outcomes, and reduces the influence of certain voter groups. This impacts political representation.

• Filibuster: A filibuster is a tactic in the Senate to delay or prevent a vote on a bill through extended speaking. It's ended by invoking cloture, requiring a three-fifths majority (60 votes). This is a powerful tool for the minority party.

• Conference Committees: Formed when differing versions of a bill are passed in the House and Senate. Their purpose is to reconcile these differences to create a unified bill and send it back to both chambers for final approval.

• Regular vs. Unorthodox Lawmaking: Regular order involves the traditional legislative process (committee review, hearings, floor debate). Unorthodox lawmaking bypasses these procedures through strategies like omnibus bills, closed rules, and fast-tracking.

Texas Legislature

• Regular vs. Special Sessions: Regular sessions are biennial, lasting 140 days (odd-numbered years). Special sessions are called by the governor to address specific issues not resolved during the regular session and are limited to 30 days.

• Legislative Redistricting Board (LRB): A five-member body responsible for redrawing district boundaries when the legislature fails to do so after the census. It's activated if the legislature can't agree on new boundaries in the first regular session after the census.

• Legislative vs. Non-Legislative Powers: Legislative powers involve lawmaking (passing bills and resolutions). Non-Legislative powers include duties beyond lawmaking, such as judicial oversight (impeachment) and confirming executive appointments.

• Comptroller of Public Accounts: This role estimates revenue and ensuring the state budget remains within available financial resources. This is crucial as the legislature cannot exceed projected revenue in budget planning.

Legislative Processes

• U.S. Congress and Texas Legislature Comparison: The processes in both systems share a similar structure in terms of bill introduction, committee action, floor action, and governor approval/veto. Subtle differences exist impacting bill progression and leadership influence.

• Representation: Both U.S. Congress and Texas Legislature have a delegate vs. trustee model of representation, with delegate representatives mirroring constituent opinions. Trustee models allow representatives to exercise their own independent judgment. Both entities seek to reflect the demographics and policy preferences of their constituents, aiming for a balance of perspectives.

• "The State" as a Unique Entity: "the state" possesses unique characteristics as a political entity that distinguishes it from other organizations. The state is the only entity with legitimate use of coercion, utilizing force when necessary for enforcement of laws.

• Constitutional Limits on Power: Power limitations within U.S. and Texas lawmaking. The system utilizes separation of powers among branches (legislative, executive, judicial), checks and balances between branches, and federalism to limit potential abuses of power.

Glossary of Terms

• Apportionment: Distributing House seats based on state population.

• Bicameral Legislature: Governing system with two legislative chambers.

• Checks and Balances: Ensures no single branch of government becomes too powerful.

• Commerce Clause: Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce.

• Committee Actions: Bill review and revision within committees.

• Conference Committee: Resolves differing versions of bills from the House and Senate.

• Constituency: Voters a representative represents.

• Descriptive Representation: When elected officials share demographic traits with their constituents.

• Delegate Model: Representatives acting based on direct constituent input.

• Enumerated Powers: Powers explicitly granted to the federal government by the Constitution.

• Federalism: Division of power between federal and state governments.

• Filibuster: Tactic to delay or block legislative action in the Senate using lengthy speeches.

• Floor Action: Legislation debate and voting on the floor of a legislative chamber.

• Gerrymandering: Manipulation of electoral districts to benefit a particular party or group.

• Implied Powers: Powers not explicitly stated but are necessary to carry out enumerated powers.

• Incumbency: Holding an elected office while seeking reelection.

• Judicial Review: Courts' power to determine the constitutionality of laws.

• Legislative Redistricting Board (LRB): Board tasked with redrawing district boundaries if the legislature fails.

• Logrolling: Lawmakers exchanging votes to secure bill passage.

• Necessary and Proper Clause: Grants Congress flexibility in enacting laws.

• Oversight: Congress monitoring executive branch actions.

• Partisanship: Strong loyalty to a political party.

• Pigeonholing: Indefinitely setting aside a bill in committee.

• Separation of Powers: Dividing governmental powers among separate branches.

• Speaker of the House: Presides over the U.S. House of Representatives.

• Standing Committee: Permanent legislative committees handling specific policy areas.

• Substantive Representation: Representatives advocating for constituent interests.

• Trustee Model: Representatives exercising independent judgment.

• Veto: Power of the executive branch to reject legislation.

• Veto Override: Requires a supermajority in the legislature to overturn a veto.