1) Economists believe that politicians act in their own self interest. We call them _______ because they do that.

rational actors

principal agents

reasonable actors

maximizing agents

2) Economists believe that government bureaucrats do not respond to incentives, unlike private sector employees who do.

True

False

3) Rational Ignorance theory says that, because our individual vote does not matter, voters generally don't benefit by spending the time to inform themselves fully about candidates for office.

True

False

4) Economists believe that politicians' primary concern is maximizing

the chance of getting elected or reelected

the influence they exert after taking office

their perceived party loyalty

their personal gains from office

5) Rational Ignorance tells us that politicians look for issues that benefit _______, whose costs are ________

many, shared among few

many, shared among many others who don't benefit

few, shared among many

few, shared among few (but a different few)

6) Because of Rational Ignorance, single issue voters are _____.

less likely

more likely

not supposed to exist

all of the above

7) To protect us from tyranny and/or the domination of the few, the Founding Fathers:

a large Congress and a strong president

a small Congress and a strong president

a small Congress and a weak president

Made a large Congress, and a weak president

8) If we require 100% agreement to create a law, it let's the minority control the majority. In our current system where we normally require just 50% + 1 vote, the majority can do bad things to the minority. There is no voting system that gives the majority control while protecting completely the minority.

True

False

9) The median voter model tells us that most presidents will move toward the center of all voters in the country after being elected.

True

False

10) When politicians trade votes (you vote for my bill and I'll vote for yours), it is called:

pork barrel

log rolling

cow tipping

back handing