California Geography/Demographics Flashcards
How many counties and congressional districts are there in California?
58 counties (that vary dramatically in size) and 52 congressional districts (Lecture 1)
Define Political System
The context in which politics occurs. “In our federal arrangement, there are fifty state systems and one national political system.” (Ch.1 PoD)
Define Political Environment
“a set of cultural, economic, and physical attributes that inform and limit how politics is done.” (Ch.1 PoD)
Can you describe California’s land and regions?
Land is diverse with varied terrain (ex. coastal communities and mountain ranges) and California typically split into North/South or Coastal/Inland. ‘Coastal Californians tend to be more liberal/democratic while inland are more conservative/republican’.
Tim Draper wanted to divide California into 3 and later 6 regions: Jefferson, Central California, South California, LA, North California, and Silicon Valley. (Ch.1 PoD/Lec 1)
Can you describe the impact of California’s resources?
State is “hydraulic society” as water enables agricultural abundance and provides for millions. “It is a huge issue.”
Climate has also “caused states phenomenal growth” as it provides for great quality of life. California is a “world leader in combating climate change.” (Ch.1 PoD, Lec 1)
Can you briefly describe Californias race distributions?
Native Americans constitute 2% of the population.
Latinos become the states “largest ethnic or racial group in 2014” but are known for low voter turnout and underrepresented in local/state government.
White non-Hispanic represent 35% of population.
African Americans constitute 5%.
Asian Americans constitute 15%.
44% of Californias speak a language other than English in the home.
Can you briefly describe Californias economy?
If it were a nation-state, it would have the fifth-largest economy in the world. It outproduces all over states in agriculture, ranks first in manufacturing and renewable energy, and overall has a postindustrial economy: “large and growing service sector, economic interdependence, rapid change, innovation, and advanced technology.” Although, it ranks “seventh among states with the highest income inequality.” (Ch.1 PoD).
Define Democratic Theory and its application in California
Democratic Theory captures Participatory democracy (rule of the many) and Representative democracy (rule by the few on behalf of the many). This can be seen in the Initiative process, Frequent elections, and Elected legislative bodies (state and local). (Ch1 PoD).
Elite Theory
Power in the few (i.e. corporate owners and wealthy persons). This can be seen in the Big Four, Major campaign contributors, Policy entrepreneurs, and Polices benefiting the relative few. (Ch1 PoD).
Hyperpluralism
States that power is thinly scattered creating a tug-of-war between institutions, policy makers, etc. This can be seen through Californias Individualistic approach to public life, Power by nonmajorites, Diversity of interests and cultures (Californians who have the greatest say are not those who arguably have the greatest needs, & many engage in single-issue politics), Supermajority vote requirements (2/3 vote for Taxes and 2/3 popular vote for certain local taxes), and Structural conflict and policy gridlock (horizontal power between executive, legislative, and judicial, and vertical power between locals and the state). (Ch1 PoD).
Pluralism
States that no single group dominates all the time–many groups have access to, compete for, and share power. This can be seen in the Proliferation of interest groups, Group competition, Dueling initiatives, and Multicultural pluralism.
Describe the political geography
“Californians have swung their partisan identities more in line with their ideological preferences and clumped themselves into communities of the like-minded…with a solid Pacific sea of Democratic blue lapping a Republican red inland of valleys and mountains.” (Ch.1 Crackup)
How have changing demographics impacted the legislature?
“Demographic upheavals have distanced representatives in Sacramento from the represented and strained the ability of old institutions think legislature to accurately reflect the richness of Californias tapestry.” (Ch.1 Crackup)
What political systems characterize the state and what are their effects?
(1) System of single-member legislative districted elected by plurality (restricting representation of both parties, strengthening majority party, and rendering votes moot), (2) constitutional web of rules requiring super-majority legislative agreement over (polarized) spending and taxes, and (3) initiative process that overrides consensus principle. Collision of these systems has produced gridlock, rising debt, and political schizophrenia. (Ch.1 Crackup)
Describe migration into California currently
States population grows by 400k each year but net migration from other states and form overseas, once main source of growth, now accounts for less than 1/4 of new residents. Most new Californians arrive my maternity ward and 2/3 of California natives live in California. California is thus more Californian. (Ch.1 Crackup)
