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Definition
· The particular city (usually large cities such as Dallas, Houston, etc.) has more racial minorities than whites |
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| Where are organized labor unions most concentrated? |
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Definition
| • Highest concentration of organized labor unions in Gulf Coast region |
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| What is meant by "a network of governments"? |
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Definition
| • Policies of any level of government (national, state, or local) are intertwined with policies and politics of the other levels |
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| • The comparative method helps to reveal differences in state and local (4 things): |
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Definition
o Sociodemographics
o Political culture
o Economies
o Geographies and Topographies |
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| What are some reasons that the Federal System was created? |
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Definition
• Problems with the A.O.C.
• Annapolis Convention and Shay’s Rebellion
• Desire for representative govt |
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The governmental powers not listed in the Constitution for the national government are powers that the states, or the people of those states, can have.
Examples: The states determine the rules for marriages, divorces, driving licenses, voting, state taxes, job and school requirements, rules for police and fire departments, and many more. |
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Term
| What is ad hoc federalism? |
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Definition
| a form of federalism that isn't clearly defined because of current issues. For this reason it is ever-changing. Decisions are based on what is pleasing to the public or what is politically acceptable at the time |
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Term
| Enumerated vs. Implied powers |
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Definition
Enumerated powers- powers expressly granted in the Constitution, there are 16 of them. "Strict constructionist" belief federal government can do no more than these enumerated powers
Implied Powers- broad, undefined powers given to the federal govt. in the Constitution |
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| Exclusive vs. Concurrent powers |
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Definition
Exclusive powers- powers given solely to the federal govt. in the Constitution (declare war, coin money)
Concurrent powers- Powers granted to the federal govt. but not denied to the states, both have these powers (tax, borrow, spend) |
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Term
| STATE POWERS: 10th amendment |
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Definition
o The governmental powers not listed in the Constitution for the national government are powers that the states, or the people of those states, can have.
o Examples: The states determine the rules for marriages, divorces, driving licenses, voting, state taxes, job and school requirements, rules for police and fire departments, and many more. |
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Term
| STATE POWERS: 14th amendment |
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Definition
| Guarantees citizenship, requires states to provide due process and equal protection |
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Term
| STATE POWERS: "Full faith and credit clause" |
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Definition
| Requires states to recognize each other's public acts and records (marriage, divorce) |
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Term
| STATE POWERS: "Privileges and Immunities Clause" |
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Definition
| Means that states have to grant to nonresidents the same privileges and immunities that they accord to their residents |
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Term
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Definition
"Layered cake" federalism
o State and federal govts have separate jurisdictions and responsibilities
• Compact theory
• Nullification and secession |
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Term
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Definition
"Marble Cake" Federalism
Notion that it is impossible for state and national governments to have separate and distinct jurisdictions and that both levels must work together |
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Definition
| Notion that the federal government should take the leading role in setting national policy, with state and local govts to help implement the policies |
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Definition
| System in which people live under two sovereign powers |
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Term
| Explain how the U.S. Constitution differs from state constitutions. |
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Definition
Permanence- U.S. Const. been around for 200+ years, whereas state constitutions last around 70 years
Length- state constitutions are more detailed & have more amendments (don't leave it to interpretation)
Specificity- U.S. Const. creates broad framework and state const. get into policy details
Embrace of Democracy- U.S. constitution deliberately avoids direct democracy and creates a representative democracy (republic). This gives citizens the ability to amend their constitutions and pass laws directly with referendums and ballot initiatives.
Finances- U.S. govt can borrow as much money as people will lend it. States except Vermont require a balanced budget and appropriations bills |
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Term
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Definition
| Laws passed by legislatures authorizing the transfer of money to the executive branch |
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Definition
| Typically brief legal documents drawn up |
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Definition
Unicameral- Has one legislative body (Nebraska)
Bicameral- Has H.o.R and Senate |
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Term
| Constitutional convention |
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Definition
| An assembly convened for the express purpose of amending or replacing a constitution; BROUGHT ABOUT MOST CHANGE TO THE DOCUMENT |
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Term
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Definition
| Process through which voters DIRECTLY convey instructions to the legislature, approve a law, or amend the constitution |
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Term
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Definition
| Procedures that allow the electorate to either accept or reject laws passed by the legislature (used to hold a constitutional convention) |
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Term
| Constitutional Revision Commissions |
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Definition
| Expert committees formed to assess a constitution and suggest changes, but cannot mandate them |
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Term
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Definition
| Vote of the entire electorate to approve a constitutional change, referendum, or ballot initiative |
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Term
| Office Group (Massachusetts) Ballot |
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Definition
| Candidates are listed by name under the title of the office they are seeking |
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Term
| Party Column (Indiana) Ballot |
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Definition
| Names of candidates are divided into columns arranged according to political party |
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Term
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Definition
| Vote for all the party's candidates with one computer click or pull of the lever (17 states, including Texas) |
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Definition
| State govt in which governor is not the only statewide executive, numerous other officials who are elected serve alongside the governor |
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Definition
| Means for citizens to make the laws themselves, rather than relying on elected representatives |
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Definition
| Citizens or groups other than elected officials put a measure on the ballot to become law |
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Term
| Factional splits, or Factions |
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Definition
| Groups that struggle to control the message within a party; party may be split into competing regional factions |
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Term
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Definition
| Individuals who are not consistently loyal to candidates of any one party. True Independents who's allegiance is fought for in every election |
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Term
| Candidate-centered politics |
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Definition
| Politics in which candidates promote themselves and their own campaigns rather than relying on party organizations |
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Term
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Definition
| Nominating elections in which only voters belonging to that party may participate |
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Definition
| Nominating election races open to all registered voters regardless of their party affiliation |
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Definition
| When no one party can be said to dominate politics in this country |
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Definition
| When popular support switches from one party to another |
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Term
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Definition
| Ad campaigns or other political activities that are run by a party or an outside group without the direct knowledge or approval of a particular candidate for office |
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Term
| Political action committees |
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Definition
| Groups formed for the purpose of raising money to elect or defeat political candidates |
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Term
| Political action committees |
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Definition
| Groups formed for the purpose of raising money to elect or defeat political candidates |
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Term
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Definition
| When voters or districts vote for different parties' nominees for different offices |
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Term
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Definition
| Person who works for different causes for different clients in the same way that a lawyer will represent more than one client |
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Definition
| Person who works for an organization that tracks and promotes an issue (gun control environmental issues, etc) |
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Definition
| Form of lobbying in which lobbyist deal directly with legislators to gain their support |
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Term
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Definition
| Form of lobbying in which lobbyist build support for their cause through the media, rallies, and other ways of influencing public opinion with ultimate goal of swaying legislators to support cause |
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