Glossary
Baker v. Carr (1962)
A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled federal courts have the authority to hear cases challenging the constitutionality of legislative redistricting, establishing the 'one person, one vote' principle.
Example:
The ruling in Baker v. Carr paved the way for challenges against districts that had vastly different populations, ensuring that every citizen's vote carries equal weight.
Delegate Model
A model of representation where the representative acts as a messenger, voting strictly according to the direct wishes of their constituents.
Example:
If a majority of voters in a district strongly oppose a new trade agreement, a representative following the Delegate Model would vote against it, regardless of their personal opinion.
Divided Government
A political situation in which one party controls the presidency while another party controls one or both chambers of Congress.
Example:
During a period of divided government, a President might struggle to get their judicial nominees confirmed if the opposing party controls the Senate.
Gerrymandering
The manipulative practice of redrawing electoral district boundaries to give one political party an unfair advantage over another, or to dilute the voting power of a particular demographic group.
Example:
Drawing a congressional district in a bizarre, winding shape to pack opposing party voters into one area is a classic example of gerrymandering.
Gridlock
A situation in government where the inability of opposing political parties to compromise leads to a halt in legislative progress and policy-making.
Example:
When Congress and the President cannot agree on a budget, it can lead to government shutdowns, a clear sign of political gridlock.
Ideological Divisions
Significant differences in political beliefs and principles between political parties or groups, often leading to disagreements and legislative stalemates.
Example:
The stark ideological divisions between conservative and progressive lawmakers often make it challenging to pass comprehensive immigration reform.
Politico Model
A hybrid model of representation where the representative balances their own judgment with the direct wishes of constituents, often acting as a delegate when public opinion is strong and a trustee otherwise.
Example:
A representative might act as a delegate on a highly visible local issue like a new highway project, but then switch to a politico model for a less publicized national budget vote, using their own expertise.
Redistricting
The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries, typically done every ten years after the U.S. Census, to account for population shifts.
Example:
After the latest census, states will undergo redistricting to ensure that each congressional district has roughly the same number of people.
Representatives
Individuals elected to act on behalf of citizens in the government, primarily by voting on legislation and assisting constituents.
Example:
A member of Congress might hold a town hall meeting to gather feedback from their constituents on a new environmental bill.
Shaw v. Reno (1993)
A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled that while redistricting plans can consider race, race cannot be the 'predominant factor' in drawing district lines, prohibiting racial gerrymandering.
Example:
The decision in Shaw v. Reno prevented states from creating oddly shaped districts solely to increase minority representation, emphasizing that race cannot be the primary driver of district design.
Trustee Model
A model of representation where the representative uses their own best judgment and expertise to make decisions, even if it goes against the immediate desires of some constituents.
Example:
A senator might vote for a complex healthcare reform bill, believing it's in the long-term public good, even if some of their constituents initially express concerns, embodying the Trustee Model.
Unequal Representation
A situation where the votes of some citizens carry more weight or influence than others, often due to malapportioned districts or gerrymandering.
Example:
Before the 'one person, one vote' rulings, rural areas with fewer people often had the same number of representatives as densely populated cities, leading to unequal representation.
one person, one vote doctrine
The principle established by the Supreme Court in Baker v. Carr, requiring that electoral districts be roughly equal in population to ensure fair representation.
Example:
The one person, one vote doctrine means that a congressional district in a bustling city should have approximately the same number of residents as a district in a rural area.