8. Federalism, Democracy & Political Culture Flashcards
(31 cards)
Meaning of Democracy/different viewpoints
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
Democracies with a federalist model
Australia
Switzerland
Canada
Austria
Germany
US
Belgium
Spain
In a democracy index of 2012, US is number ____ out of 25
21
Argument that federalism is anti democratic
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
In Madison’s Federalist No 45, he sides with…
citizen’s rights–“the voice of every good citizen must be”.
Argument that federalism is democratic
Unequal representation (federalism bonus) is provided by the electoral college
Ensures that small units cannot be outvoted by large units
Robert Dahl wrote
How democratic is the American constitution?
In Madison’s Federalist No 51, he writes that
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
Tocqueville, in Democracy in America, wrote
Federalism itself made American government democratic
Permits the union to enjoy power of a large republic and the security of a small one.
Daniel Elazar called federalism the authentic contribution to
democratic thought and republican government
Elazar believes that federalism is democratic because
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
True or false: All federal countries are democratic
False. Russia, UAE are federal countries, but undemocratic
Federalism ________ contribute to democratic practices
MIGHT
Public opinion is an important component of federal systems
true
William Livingston says that the essence of federalism lies…
not in the structure, but in society itself.
The maintenance of federalism involved
THINKING federal., Daniel Elazar
Success of federalism depends upon
public trust
Survey participants increasingly say that they receive more value for taxes at the local level rather than state or federal.
True. Exception is after 9/11. In 2011, 47% said local, 27% said state and 24% said federal
Race related to public opinion on government trust in what way?
Black Americans rate federal government as giving them the most for their money. Only 24% of White Americans felt the same way.
How does party relate to public opinion on tax dollars
Believe federal gives most value:
D-more than 1/3
I-27%
R-15.7%
Support for state and local governments is greatest among
White and Republican responders
Support for federal government is greatest among
Blacks and Democrats
Rated as the WORST tax
Federal income tax. Increasingly unpopular
Trust in feds declined from 68% in 1987 to _____% in 2010
44%
