Political Theory Midterm 2 Exam UPDATED
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
Gerrymandering - CORRECT ANSWER Drawing districts to benefit a political group
Unequal Senate representation - CORRECT ANSWER Each state gets equal representation
regardless of population
Insecure majorities - CORRECT ANSWER Frequent shifts in party control increase conflict
Messaging vs legislating - CORRECT ANSWER Focus on political messaging instead of
passing laws
Bipartisanship voter response - CORRECT ANSWER Strong partisans dislike it; independents
like it
Unequal democracy - CORRECT ANSWER Government responds more to wealthy citizens
Affluence and influence - CORRECT ANSWER Policy reflects preferences of high-income
voters more than low-income voters
Political polarization - CORRECT ANSWER Increasing ideological distance between parties
Effect of polarization - CORRECT ANSWER More gridlock, less productivity in Congress
Agenda setter model - CORRECT ANSWER Person controlling agenda has major influence on
outcomes
Agenda control power - CORRECT ANSWER Ability to block or shape votes to get desired
outcome
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
Gerrymandering - CORRECT ANSWER Drawing districts to benefit a political group
Unequal Senate representation - CORRECT ANSWER Each state gets equal representation
regardless of population
Insecure majorities - CORRECT ANSWER Frequent shifts in party control increase conflict
Messaging vs legislating - CORRECT ANSWER Focus on political messaging instead of
passing laws
Bipartisanship voter response - CORRECT ANSWER Strong partisans dislike it; independents
like it
Unequal democracy - CORRECT ANSWER Government responds more to wealthy citizens
Affluence and influence - CORRECT ANSWER Policy reflects preferences of high-income
voters more than low-income voters
Political polarization - CORRECT ANSWER Increasing ideological distance between parties
Effect of polarization - CORRECT ANSWER More gridlock, less productivity in Congress
Agenda setter model - CORRECT ANSWER Person controlling agenda has major influence on
outcomes
Agenda control power - CORRECT ANSWER Ability to block or shape votes to get desired
outcome
