8. Federalism, Democracy & Political Culture

Question 1

Meaning of Democracy/different viewpoints

Answer 1

Majority rules vs protection of minority rights
all votes are equal weight vs lots of opportunities to participate
limits on power vs multiple layers to effect change & respect for local needs

federalism is antidemocratic vs federalism is democratic

Question 2

Democracies with a federalist model

Answer 2

Australia
Switzerland
Canada
Austria
Germany
US
Belgium
Spain

Question 3

In a democracy index of 2012, US is number ____ out of 25

Answer 3

21

Question 4

Argument that federalism is anti democratic

Answer 4

Regardless of population, states have 2 senators and at least one representative
(at least 3 electoral college votes)
Vote from Wyoming means 70 times more than a Californian vote

Question 5

In Madison’s Federalist No 45, he sides with…

Answer 5

citizen’s rights–“the voice of every good citizen must be”.

Question 6

Argument that federalism is democratic

Answer 6

Unequal representation (federalism bonus) is provided by the electoral college
Ensures that small units cannot be outvoted by large units

Question 7

Robert Dahl wrote

Answer 7

How democratic is the American constitution?

Question 8

In Madison’s Federalist No 51, he writes that

Answer 8

society will be broken into many parts, interests and classes
rights of minority will be protected
levels of government will control each other and also be controlled

Question 9

Tocqueville, in Democracy in America, wrote

Answer 9

Federalism itself made American government democratic
Permits the union to enjoy power of a large republic and the security of a small one.

Question 10

Daniel Elazar called federalism the authentic contribution to

Answer 10

democratic thought and republican government

Question 11

Elazar believes that federalism is democratic because

Answer 11

it emphasizes partnership and cooperation between individuals, groups and governments in pursuit of justice. There is negotiation among partners as the basis for power sharing

Question 12

True or false: All federal countries are democratic

Answer 12

False. Russia, UAE are federal countries, but undemocratic

Question 13

Federalism ________ contribute to democratic practices

Answer 13

MIGHT

Question 14

Public opinion is an important component of federal systems

Answer 14

true

Question 15

William Livingston says that the essence of federalism lies…

Answer 15

not in the structure, but in society itself.

Question 16

The maintenance of federalism involved

Answer 16

THINKING federal., Daniel Elazar

Question 17

Success of federalism depends upon

Answer 17

public trust

Question 18

Survey participants increasingly say that they receive more value for taxes at the local level rather than state or federal.

Answer 18

True. Exception is after 9/11. In 2011, 47% said local, 27% said state and 24% said federal

Question 19

Race related to public opinion on government trust in what way?

Answer 19

Black Americans rate federal government as giving them the most for their money. Only 24% of White Americans felt the same way.

Question 20

How does party relate to public opinion on tax dollars

Answer 20

Believe federal gives most value:
D-more than 1/3
I-27%
R-15.7%

Question 21

Support for state and local governments is greatest among

Answer 21

White and Republican responders

Question 22

Support for federal government is greatest among

Answer 22

Blacks and Democrats

Question 23

Rated as the WORST tax

Answer 23

Federal income tax. Increasingly unpopular

Question 24

Trust in feds declined from 68% in 1987 to _____% in 2010

Answer 24

44%

Question 25

Federal government is less popular in Mexico and Canada

Answer 25

True-Percentage of respondents who say they get the LEAST from federal

US: 28%
Mexico: 35%
Canada: 43%

Question 26

Mexicans trust this level of government the least

Answer 26

State

Question 27

All three countries believe that federal governments have too much power

Answer 27

True

Question 28

Which two countries believe that local government needs more power?

Answer 28

US & Canada. Mexicans say that the state needs more power.

Question 29

________% of US respondents say that they trust local government to deliver programs and services important to them

Answer 29

30

Question 30

Canadians trust this level of government the least

Answer 30

federal

Question 31

US is more balanced in their trust

Answer 31

of all three levels of government