Chapter 2- The Mosaic of American Governments Flashcards
constitutional bases of government organization (5)
rule of law
federalism
separation of powers
guaranteed rights and liberties
government accountability
3 branches of the us government
legislative (makes laws)
executive (carries out laws)
judicial (interprets laws)
the two basic types of local governments
general and special purpose
general purpose local governments
have a wide range of purposes and responsibilities
examples of general purpose local governments
cities (municipalities) and counties
special purpose local governments
have only one or a few related purposes and responsibilities
examples of special purpose local governments
school districts, water districts, hospital districts
what is the main difference between cities and towns in california?
cities have become incorporated through a process
What do cities have that towns don’t?
their own mayor, city council, and staff as well as the authority to create and enforce their own policies and laws
what is considered the local government for unincorporated towns?
the county government
services typically performed by cities (6)
land use, zoning, and housing
police, fire, and ambulance
building permits
infrastructure- streets, streetlights, sidewalks, etc.
solid waste (trash)
local parks and recreation programs
services typically performed by counties (4)
tax assessment and collection
regional jail system
health department
acts as the “local” government for all unincorporated towns
the 3 types of local government organization
mayor-council form
council-manager form
commission form
mayor-council form of local government
rare, but most common in large cities. It is modeled after the federal government, the mayor and council are separate just as the president and congress
council-manager form of local government
most common form of local gov. Modeled after private corporations. Elected council enacts laws and the manager oversees
